NIMASA increases enforcement of Nigerian cabotage requirements

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced intensified enforcement of statutory requirements for indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities. This measure follows the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003.

Under the new enforcement regime, entities requiring vessels for Cabotage operations must use vessels that satisfy specific Nigerian ownership, registration, manning, and construction requirements. These vessels must be duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage. Additionally, vessels must be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, manned by Nigerian citizens, and built in Nigeria.

NIMASA stated that the deployment of non-compliant vessels will only be considered if requisite Nigerian capacity is unavailable and statutory conditions are verified by the Agency. The initiative aims to strengthen maritime governance, develop local maritime capacity, and prevent the outsourcing of jobs intended for Nigerian citizens.