Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has stepped up enforcement of statutory requirements governing indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade, warning vessel owners, operators and other stakeholders to strictly comply with the nation’s maritime laws.
The Agency disclosed this in a Marine Notice issued pursuant to its statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, as well as relevant Cabotage regulations and implementation guidelines.
Under the new enforcement regime, individuals and organisations seeking vessels for Cabotage operations must deploy vessels that satisfy Nigeria’s requirements on ownership, registration, manning and construction, and are duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage.
NIMASA also directed all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other participants in Cabotage activities to ensure that their statutory certificates, licences, registrations and other mandatory documentation remain valid and up to date.
The Agency emphasised that, where applicable, Cabotage vessels must be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, registered in the relevant Special Register, manned by Nigerians and constructed in Nigeria.
It, however, noted that vessels that do not meet the prescribed requirements may only be deployed where the necessary Nigerian capacity is unavailable and such circumstances have been established and verified by NIMASA in line with the law.
The Agency said the enhanced enforcement is aimed at strengthening compliance, promoting indigenous capacity and ensuring that the benefits of Nigeria’s coastal shipping business are retained within the country.
NIMASA further assured stakeholders that it would continue to monitor compliance with the Cabotage Act, regulations and applicable guidelines, particularly to ensure that employment opportunities and other benefits reserved for Nigerians are not outsourced.
The Marine Notice, which takes immediate effect, reinforces NIMASA’s commitment to deepening indigenous participation in both local and international shipping, building Nigeria’s maritime capacity and ensuring that Cabotage contributes more significantly to national economic development.