NIMASA Strengthens Cabotage Compliance to Boost Indigenous Participation

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced stricter enforcement of statutory requirements
aimed at increasing indigenous participation in Nigeria’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities.

In a Marine Notice issued under its mandate to implement the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Agency emphasized that all vessels engaged in Cabotage operations must comply with Nigerian ownership, registration, manning, and construction requirements. Such vessels must also be registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage.

The Agency further requires all vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders engaged in Cabotage activities to maintain valid statutory certificates, licenses, registrations and other required documentation.

Cabotage vessels must, as applicable, be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, duly registered in the relevant Special Register, manned by Nigerian citizens and built in Nigeria. Deployment of vessels that do not meet these requirements may only be considered where the requisite Nigerian capacity is unavailable and the statutory conditions have been established and verified by NIMASA.

The Agency will continue to monitor compliance with the Cabotage Act, its regulations and applicable guidelines, in a bid to entrench maritime governance and ensure that jobs meant for Nigerians are not outsourced.

The Marine Notice takes immediate effect, signaling a renewed drive to entrench Nigeria’s maritime sovereignty and empower local stakeholders in the industry.