NIMASA Intensifies Enforcement Of Cabotage Compliance
NIMASA Intensifies Enforcement Of Cabotage Compliance
…Agency Vows To Protect Indigenous Participation In Nigeria’s Coastal Shipping Trade
By Success Okezie
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced a new phase of strict enforcement aimed at ensuring full compliance with Nigeria’s Cabotage laws and boosting indigenous participation in the nation’s maritime sector.
This was made known in a Marine Notice issued by the Agency, pursuant to its statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, as well as relevant Cabotage regulations and implementation guidelines.
Under the enhanced regime, all individuals and companies seeking vessels for Cabotage operations must ensure such vessels meet Nigerian ownership, registration, manning, and construction standards.
Specifically, Cabotage vessels are required to:
. Be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens
. Be duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage
. Be manned by Nigerian citizens
. Be built in Nigeria, where applicable
NIMASA further directed that all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders involved in Cabotage activities must possess and maintain valid statutory certificates, licenses, registrations and other required documentation.
The Agency clarified that the use of foreign vessels may only be considered in instances where the required Nigerian capacity is demonstrably unavailable.
Even in such cases, NIMASA stated that approval will only be granted after the statutory conditions have been fully established and verified by the Agency.
According to NIMASA, the intensified enforcement is part of efforts to entrench good maritime governance and ensure that jobs and opportunities meant for Nigerians are not outsourced to foreign interests.
“The Agency will continue to monitor compliance with the Cabotage Act, its regulations and applicable guidelines. This is to guarantee that our coastal trade contributes directly to national economic development and job creation for Nigerians,” the notice stated.
The Marine Notice takes immediate effect. NIMASA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting indigenous capacity, strengthening local participation in shipping, and ensuring that Cabotage operations deliver maximum benefits to Nigeria’s maritime and economic development.
The Cabotage Act was enacted to reserve Nigeria’s coastal and inland shipping trade for Nigerian-owned, built, and manned vessels. With this renewed enforcement, NIMASA is signaling a zero-tolerance stance on violations and a renewed push to grow Nigeria’s domestic shipping capacity
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