NIMASA Strengthens Enforcement of Requirements for Indigenous Participation in Cabotage Trade

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has announced stricter enforcement of regulations governing the involvement of indigenous individuals and companies in Nigeria's Cabotage trade and maritime operations. According to a recent marine notice issued to implement laws such as the NIMASA Act 2007 and the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, along with Cabotage regulations and guidelines, all entities requiring vessels for Cabotage activities must utilize vessels that satisfy the Nigerian ownership, registration, crewing, and construction criteria.

These vessels must be duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies engaged in Cabotage.

NIMASA mandates that all stakeholders in Cabotage activities, including vessel owners, operators, charterers, managers, and others, must keep their statutory certificates, licenses, registrations, and other necessary documents current. Cabotage vessels must be entirely owned by Nigerian citizens, registered in the appropriate Special Register, manned by Nigerian nationals, and built in Nigeria.

If no Nigerian vessels are available, their deployment may only be considered if the required Nigerian capacity has been verified by NIMASA.

The agency emphasized that it will persist in monitoring compliance with the Cabotage Act, its regulations, and applicable guidelines to strengthen maritime governance and ensure that job opportunities meant for Nigerians are not outsourced. The notice, which takes effect immediately, further highlights NIMASA's dedication to encouraging indigenous participation in both local and international shipping trade, fostering local maritime capacity, and ensuring that Cabotage operations significantly contribute to Nigeria's maritime and economic development.