US lifts 12-year maritime security restriction on Nigerian vessels

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has lifted a 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) restriction on vessels arriving in the United States from Nigeria. The restriction, which was implemented in June 2014, required ships that had called at designated Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo enhanced security scrutiny and additional measures before entering U.S. waters.

The decision follows four comprehensive assessments conducted by the USCG between March 2024 and April 2026. These evaluations demonstrated significant progress in Nigeria’s maritime security framework and its implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the removal as a major milestone that is expected to boost the competitiveness of Nigerian ports. The lifting of the CoE is anticipated to reduce operating costs for shipping companies by minimizing additional inspections, documentation requirements, and security-related delays. It is also expected to improve vessel turnaround times and schedule reliability, potentially attracting more international shipping lines to the region.