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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has thrown down the gauntlet to maritime operators with the launch of a special enforcement drive tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance”, signalling a tougher regulatory regime in Nigerian waters.
The operation, announced via a Marine Notice, is anchored on NIMASA’s statutory powers under the NIMASA Act 2007, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, and other relevant maritime regulations.
Under the new enforcement code, no operator is exempt. Ship and vessel owners, operators, managers, shipping companies and agents, charterers, oil and gas companies, offshore installation operators, Free Trade Zone (FTZ) vessel operators, as well as masters and officers of merchant vessels, are all required to demonstrate full compliance with existing maritime laws before operating within Nigerian waters.
Key compliance requirements include proper vessel registration, valid statutory certificates, up-to-date ownership documentation, and strict adherence to Cabotage provisions covering vessel ownership, registration, manning, and construction. Operators are also mandated to ensure prompt payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.
As part of the crackdown, NIMASA will roll out random and targeted vessel inspections, cross-check documentation against its databases, and conduct both physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations. Proof of payment of all applicable levies and charges must be produced on demand.
To encourage voluntary compliance, the Agency has granted a 30-day grace period beginning January 5, 2026, during which operators are expected to conduct self-audits and regularize any outstanding infractions.
However, NIMASA has made it clear that there will be no mercy after the deadline. Defaulters risk vessel detention, heavy financial penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the operation underscores the Agency’s resolve to deepen indigenous shipping development, strengthen maritime safety and security, protect the marine environment, and enforce Nigeria’s maritime laws without compromise.
“We urge all stakeholders to do their part so that together, we can consolidate the gains already made – safer waters, a secure maritime domain, and the sustainable use of our marine resources,” Mobereola said.
