The Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) was established in June 1988 as the umbrella body of accredited journalists covering Nigeria’s maritime industry. Prior to this period, reportage of maritime business and activities was limited to general business and trade reports in mainstream newspapers and magazines.

But as maritime news and developments began to assume prominence in the press and electronic media, and with more journalists reporting the industry, there arose a need for more informed and development-oriented reporting.

Under the guidance of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria was formed to unify journalists covering the beat, and to ensure effective and responsible reporting.

As an affiliate of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), MARAN is strictly guided by the principles and ethics of the journalism profession.

Ever since, the association has been playing its role as provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, discharging its function of holding public officers accountable for their actions and utterances, while focusing on the development of the sector and the national economy.

Apart from providing quality reportage and analysis of the maritime sector, MARAN has been an agenda-setter, keying into developmental journalism, by regularly organizing seminars, workshops and talk-shops that bring industry operators and regulators together to discuss issues for the growth and development of the industry and the economy.

Currently, the association boasts of over 40 members drawn from the print and electronic media, and of course, the new media (digital media). MARAN is composed of intelligent and well-informed patriots who are truly desirous of the progress of the Nigerian maritime industry and blue economy.

MARAN remains focused, and still remains the premier umbrella association for journalists covering the nation’s maritime industry and known for its ever-increasing repute in the sector.