By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has granted a 30-day window for maritime stakeholders to conduct a self-audit and ensure voluntary compliance with existing maritime laws and regulations.
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This move is part of NIMASA’s special operational enforcement code named “Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance” in the Nigerian maritime domain, aimed at ensuring full compliance with existing maritime laws and regulations.
Pursuant to its statutory mandate, NIMASA has issued a directive through a Marine Notice, requiring all Ship/Vessel Owners, Operators, Managers, International and National Oil Companies, Masters and Officers of Merchant Ships, Shipping Companies, Shipping Agents, Charterers, Offshore Installations and Platforms Operators, Vessel Operators at the Free Trade Zones (FTZ), and Maritime Stakeholders to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.
These requirements include proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, and adherence to Cabotage. The directive emphasizes the importance of timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.
Additionally, stakeholders are required to ensure compliance with Cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and build. NIMASA will conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify documentation, and carry out physical and documentary compliance assessments to ensure adherence to these requirements.
As part of the enforcement process, operators will be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees upon request. To allow stakeholders the opportunity to regularize their operations, NIMASA has granted a thirty (30) day window from January 5, 2026, for a self-audit and voluntary compliance.
Failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period will attract enforcement actions, including vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has assured all 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.
He urged all stakeholders to do their part in building on the gains of previous regulatory achievements, which include enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment, and sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s marine resources. This initiative demonstrates NIMASA’s resolve to ensure a compliant and thriving maritime industry.
The 30-day window for self-audit and voluntary compliance is a chance for stakeholders to review their operations and ensure they meet the required standards. NIMASA encourages all stakeholders to take advantage of this opportunity to regularize their operations.
By taking a proactive approach, NIMASA aims to create a culture of compliance within the Nigerian maritime industry, ultimately enhancing the country’s maritime sector and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
