The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos due to non-compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The closure of the facilities follows failure to adhere to several formal warnings for persistent violations of the ISPS Code. The ISPS Code, an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the move aligns with global best practices and is in line with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months. Mobereola emphasised the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort. Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise our progress,” he stated.

Mobereola said that the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, acknowledging their importance in service delivery and trade facilitation.

He said the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, is committed to enhanced sustainable trade facilitation for the maritime sector in a safe and conducive environment.