Assignment 1: Strategic Maritime Operations and Governance in Nigeria, South East Asia, and the South China Sea

Course Code:

MLM7028 – Global Maritime Governance and Strategic Operations

Institution Context:

Issued for postgraduate coursework in Maritime Operations and Management at Liverpool John Moores University (School of Engineering, Maritime Centre) and University of Portsmouth (Faculty of Technology, Maritime Studies). Aligned with UK QAA Level 7 standards (2026 update) and comparative Australian AQF Level 9 professional coursework criteria.

Assessment Type:

Individual Research Essay

Weighting:

35%

Word Count:

1,200–1,500 words (excluding references)

Submission Details:

Submit as a Word or PDF file to Turnitin via the institutional VLE portal. Format using Arial 12pt font, double spacing, and numbered pages. Include a cover page with student ID, module code, and total word count.

Assessment Title:

Strategic Maritime Operations and Governance: Comparative Analysis of Nigeria’s Coastal Systems, South East Asian Port Networks, and the South China Sea

Assessment Context:

Contemporary maritime trade relies on efficient, secure, and well-governed regional systems. The Gulf of Guinea, South East Asia, and the South China Sea are pivotal zones in the global maritime network, yet they remain sites of regulatory inconsistency, piracy risks, and political tensions. This assignment focuses on evaluating the strategic governance and operational structures within Nigeria’s maritime industry, the logistics frameworks in Southeast Asian ports (Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam), and the contested maritime operations in the South China Sea. The analysis should critically connect governance mechanisms, regional cooperation, and environmental compliance with the operational realities of maritime logistics and security.

Task Description:

Write a 1,200–1,500-word essay that critically examines the operational, legal, and strategic governance approaches influencing maritime activities in Nigeria, South East Asia, and the South China Sea. Identify and compare the main governance challenges and strategies adopted across the regions to maintain efficiency, sustainability, and maritime safety. Include geopolitical and environmental factors shaping operational decisions, focusing on regulatory compliance, capacity development, and port efficiency.

Key Areas to Address:

1. Overview of governance frameworks guiding maritime operations in Nigeria, South East Asia, and the South China Sea.
2. Assessment of port efficiency, logistics coordination, and digital innovation across regional hubs (e.g., Lagos, Singapore, Port Klang, Shanghai).
3. Comparative analysis of legal regimes and maritime cooperation agreements under UNCLOS and IMO directives.
4. Evaluation of risk management mechanisms for piracy, environmental degradation, and congestion.
5. Recommendations for integrated governance or operational strategies aligning with international best practices (IMO, ASEAN, ECOWAS Maritime Strategy).

Assessment Requirements:

• Use a minimum of eight (8) peer-reviewed or policy-based sources published between 2018–2026.
• Reference all materials using Harvard referencing style.
• Apply critical comparative analysis rather than descriptive summaries.
• Include one visual or conceptual map illustrating governance or operational interactions (optional but encouraged).
• Show awareness of socio-political and economic factors shaping maritime regulation in the chosen regions.

Marking Criteria (Assessment Rubric):

Criterion	Weight	Excellent (70–100%)	Good (60–69%)	Pass (50–59%)	Fail (<50%)
Depth of Regional Knowledge	25%	Shows sophisticated understanding of the maritime governance context in all three regions.	Demonstrates solid regional awareness with minor gaps.	Basic understanding of one or two regions only.	Superficial or incorrect regional discussion.
Comparative and Critical Analysis	30%	Insightful comparative evaluation showing nuanced policy implications.	Good analytical balance, limited theoretical depth.	Simple comparison, limited critique or evidence.	Descriptive with minimal comparison.
Integration of Sources	20%	Excellent integration of recent scholarly and policy materials.	Mostly relevant, minor imbalance of source types.	Limited range of sources or over-reliance on grey literature.	Weak or unsubstantiated evidence.
Structure and Argumentation	15%	Logical flow with coherent, focused arguments.	Mostly clear with minor inconsistencies.	Acceptable organization, occasional digressions.	Disorganized or unclear argumentation.
Academic Presentation and Referencing	10%	Accurate, consistent Harvard referencing; polished academic style.	Minor formatting or citation errors.	Frequent referencing inconsistencies.	Incomplete or missing citations.

Strategic maritime governance in Nigeria and South East Asia highlights how regulatory and infrastructural disparities affect global trade efficiency. Nigeria’s port reforms under the Nigerian Ports Authority aim to align operations with IMO safety and anti-piracy frameworks, while ASEAN’s Maritime Transport Working Group promotes integrated digital corridors for logistics performance. In the South China Sea, contested sovereignty and overlapping EEZ claims complicate UNCLOS compliance and vessel routing, forcing nations to balance economic interests with international maritime law (Bateman & Ho, 2020).

References

1. Bateman, S., & Ho, J. (2020). Maritime governance and regional cooperation in the South China Sea. *Marine Policy*, 117, 104206. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104206
2. Osinowo, O., & Adegbite, A. (2021). Maritime security and port reforms in Nigeria: Policy implications for the Gulf of Guinea. *African Security Review*, 30(3), 248–266. https://doi.org/10.1080/10246029.2021.1949870
3. Teo, M., & Thai, V.V. (2019). Port governance reforms in Southeast Asia: Challenges for competitiveness and sustainability. *Transport Policy*, 79, 22–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2019.04.004
4. Cheng, X., & Yang, M. (2023). Maritime digitalization and port resilience in China’s Belt and Road shipping corridors. *Journal of Maritime Policy & Management*, 50(4), 451–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/03088839.2023.2180745
5. Udoma, N., & Sunday, P. (2024). Sustainable port operations in Nigeria’s coastal economy. *Journal of Shipping and Trade*, 9(2), 33–52. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41072-024-00106-4