The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced stronger enforcement measures to ensure compliance with Nigeria’s Cabotage laws and promote greater participation of indigenous operators in the country’s maritime sector.
The Agency disclosed this in a Marine Notice issued in line with its statutory responsibilities under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, as well as relevant regulations and implementation guidelines.
Under the new enforcement regime, individuals and organisations requiring vessels for Cabotage operations must use vessels that satisfy Nigeria’s ownership, registration, manning and construction requirements.
NIMASA also stated that such vessels must be properly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies engaged in Cabotage.
According to the Agency, all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders involved in Cabotage activities are expected to maintain valid certificates, licences, registrations and other statutory documents.
The Marine Notice further emphasised that Cabotage vessels should, where applicable, be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, registered in the appropriate Special Register, manned by Nigerians and constructed in Nigeria.
However, the Agency clarified that vessels which do not meet the requirements may only be deployed where the required Nigerian capacity is unavailable and the necessary statutory conditions have been established and verified by NIMASA.
The development is part of efforts to strengthen enforcement of the Cabotage Act and prevent activities that could undermine opportunities created for Nigerian maritime operators and workers.
NIMASA said it would continue to monitor compliance across the sector, stressing that the objective was not only enforcement but also the development of a stronger domestic maritime industry.
The Agency said it was committed to ensuring that “jobs meant for Nigerians are not outsourced,” while promoting indigenous capacity and participation in the country’s shipping industry.
It added that the immediate implementation of the Marine Notice would reinforce its commitment to “promoting indigenous participation in local and international shipping trade” and developing local maritime capacity.
The Cabotage regime was introduced to give Nigerian operators greater opportunities in coastal and inland shipping, while encouraging investment in vessels, shipbuilding, employment and other areas of the maritime value chain.
NIMASA’s latest position therefore places greater responsibility on operators and other stakeholders to ensure that their activities remain within the provisions of the law.
The Agency also maintained that effective compliance would contribute to improved maritime governance and ensure that Cabotage operations play a meaningful role in Nigeria’s broader economic development.
With the enhanced enforcement now taking immediate effect, stakeholders in the maritime industry are expected to review their operations and documentation to ensure full compliance with the requirements.
NIMASA said the measures were necessary to protect the interests of Nigerian operators while building a maritime sector capable of creating sustainable jobs and retaining more economic value within the country.