Cabotage: Nigerian Vessels Must Take Priority Over Foreign Ships – NIMASA

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has declared that Nigerian-flagged vessels must take priority over foreign ships in the deployment of vessels for operations within the country’s territorial waters.

The director-general of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated this yesterday during a tour of Marine Platforms Limited’s African Pioneer Lagos offshore Diving Support Vessel (DSV) in Lagos.

Mobereola said the development of indigenous capacity under the Cabotage regime remained a priority for the agency, stressing that Nigerian-owned and flagged vessels should be given preference over foreign vessels operating in the country.

He said, “I’m quite happy at what I have seen today after the tour of this 8,000 metric tonnes African Pioneer Specialised Vessel. A vessel such as this flying the Nigerian flag should have priority over any foreign vessel.

“We are automating the Nigerian ship registry to make it more attractive and to ensure that more vessels like this fly the Nigerian flag.”

The African Pioneer Lagos, with IMO Number 9808613, is a Nigerian-flagged offshore DSV measuring approximately 143 metres in length, with a deadweight capacity of about 8,000 metric tonnes.

The vessel is equipped for specialised deep-water subsea construction, diving, inspection and offshore oil and gas operations.

Speaking on the impact of the Cabotage regime, the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Mr Taofeek Adegbite, said the company had benefited significantly from the policy and expressed pride in operating Nigerian-flagged vessels in the country’s waters.

Adegbite said the Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act had contributed significantly to securing regular contracts for the company since it acquired its first vessel in 2012.

He said, “Since 2012, when we got our very first vessel, MT African Vision, we are happy and proud to say NIMASA’s Cabotage Regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act has played a major role in ensuring that our vessels have contracts on a regular basis.

“We have no regret flying the Nigerian flag and I will invite more ship owners to register their flags in the Nigerian Ship Registry.”

Adegbite, however, called for a classification system that would give special attention to crew operating very large vessels, saying this would encourage more shipowners to register such vessels under the Nigerian flag.

He also commended NIMASA for its support, noting that the African Pioneer Lagos demonstrated the capacity of Nigerian companies and professionals to operate sophisticated vessels to international standards.

According to him, greater patronage of Nigerian-flagged vessels would also create opportunities for the development of indigenous maritime manpower.

Adegbite noted that countries such as the Philippines had developed a global reputation for seafaring, while Norway was renowned for shipbuilding, stressing that Nigeria could similarly identify and develop a globally recognised area of maritime specialisation.