NIMASA prioritizes indigenous capacity via cabotage regime

Dayo Mobereola, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has reaffirmed that developing indigenous capacity within the Nigerian maritime sector through the cabotage regime is a top priority for the current administration.

During a tour of the African Pioneer Lagos Vessel, a Nigerian-flagged offshore Diving Support Vessel owned by Marine Platforms Limited, Mobereola emphasized the importance of prioritizing Nigerian-flagged vessels over foreign ones. He also noted that the agency is working to automate the Nigerian ship registry to increase its attractiveness to ship owners.

Taofeek Adegbite, CEO of Marine Platforms Limited, stated that the company has benefited significantly from the cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act since 2012. Adegbite encouraged more ship owners to register in the Nigerian registry and suggested that special attention be given to the classification of crews operating large vessels to further encourage the use of the Nigerian flag.