The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has tightened enforcement of the country’s Cabotage trade and maritime activities regulations, insisting that vessels deployed for coastal shipping must meet statutory requirements on indigenous ownership, registration, manning and construction.

Under the new enforcement regime, Cabotage vessels must, where applicable, be wholly-owned by Nigerian citizens, registered in the relevant special register, manned by Nigerians and built in Nigeria.

NIMASA said vessels that do not meet the requirements may only be considered where the requisite Nigerian capacity is unavailable and the statutory conditions have been established and verified by the agency.

The directive was contained in a marine notice issued by the agency pursuant to its mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, and its relevant regulations and implementing guidelines.

“Under the enhanced enforcement regime, all persons and entities requiring vessels for Cabotage operations are required to use vessels that meet applicable Nigerian ownership, registration, manning and construction requirements and are duly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage,” the notice reads.

The agency also directed vessel owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders engaged in Cabotage operations to maintain valid statutory certificates, licences, registrations and other required documentation.

It, however, noted that the enhanced enforcement was aimed at strengthening indigenous participation in Nigeria’s maritime sector and preventing the outsourcing of jobs meant for Nigerians.

According to the agency, the notice takes immediate effect, noting that it 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.

It noted that the enforcement was part of its commitment to promoting indigenous participation in local and international shipping trade, developing local maritime capacity and ensuring that Cabotage operations contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s maritime and economic development.