Validate Your Documents In 30 Days Or Face Detention, Maritime Administration Agency Tells Vessel-owners, Others

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday, threatened to detain, impose penalties and withdraw waivers on vessels without proper registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, and adherence to Cabotage provisions relating to ownership, registration, manning, and building.

The agency, in a statement made available to LEADERSHIP by Edward Osagie, Deputy Director of Public Relations at NIMASA, announced a 30-day window, beginning January 5, 2026, for self-audit and voluntary compliance.

According to Osagie, all ship and vessel owners, operators, managers, international and national oil companies, masters and officers of merchant ships, shipping companies, shipping agents, charterers, offshore installations and platform operators, vessel operators in Free Trade Zones (FTZs), and other maritime stakeholders operating or intending to operate within Nigerian waters must comply or face enforcement.

He stated that the window is to ensure proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, and ensure full compliance is achieved.

The agency also emphasised the importance of the timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.

“As part of efforts to ensure full compliance with existing maritime laws and regulations, NIMASA commenced special operational enforcement code-named ‘Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance’ in the Nigerian maritime domain.”

The directive was issued through a Marine Notice, pursuant to the agency’s statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other applicable regulations.

“Under this operation, all ship and vessel owners, operators, managers, international and national oil companies, masters and officers of merchant ships, shipping companies, shipping agents, charterers, offshore installations and platform operators, vessel operators in Free Trade Zones (FTZs), and maritime stakeholders operating or intending to operate within Nigerian waters are required to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.

“These include proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, and adherence to Cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and build.”

The notice also reiterated the importance of the timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.

“As part of the enforcement process, NIMASA will conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify documentation against its databases, and carry out physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations. Operators will also be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees upon request.

“To allow stakeholders the opportunity to regularise their operations, NIMASA has granted a 30-day window from January 5, 2026, for self-audit and voluntary compliance,” the statement added.

The agency further warned that failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period would attract enforcement actions, including vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, also assured stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous shipping development, enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring strict compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws.

“We therefore urge all stakeholders to do their part so that, together, we can build on the gains of previous regulatory achievements, which is enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment, and the sustainable utilisation of our marine resources,” the Director-General added.