Following the strain and bitterness that has trailed maritime dispute resolution between seaport operators and regulators, members of the Executive Council of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN) and the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) have called for the application of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in settling commercial disputes in the maritime industry.
Receiving the MAAN delegation who paid her a courtesy visit recently, STOAN Chairman, , Princess Vicky Haastrup expressed believe that resolving maritime industry disputes through ADR will be much faster and less acrimonious than litigation.
“I am happy to note that we have competent persons who can handle arbitration in Nigeria. I will encourage the use of arbitration as much as possible because it has significant advantages over litigation in court, such as party control of the process, typically lower cost and shorter time to resolution, flexibility and privacy,” she said.
MAAN President, Dr Omogbai Omoeboh, who led the delegation on the courtesy visit, said MAAN is motivated by the strong desire to provide effective and cost efficient alternatives for dispute resolution of maritime disputes in Nigeria through arbitration proceedings and other ADR methods.
He said the association was organized to gather together members ready, willing and able to serve as arbitrators of disputes arising in businesses involving all aspects of maritime, energy and related activities.
“MAAN was conceived by practitioners that have attained distinction and expertise in arbitration and maritime law in Nigeria. Following its conception and incorporation in 2005, its executive council has acted as a steering body for the establishment of the associations’ ethos and structures.
“The council is committed to ensuring that MAAN maintains internationally accepted standards and best practices with local expertise,” he said.
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