Nigeria to register all vessels used in coastal and inland waters trade.
In addition to registration in the applicable Special Register for
Cabotage Vessels and Ship Owning companies, and obtaining the
Certificate of Cabotage Registration/License, operators with expired
registration certificates are to ensure the renewal of their Cabotage
Operational Certificate/License for all Cabotage vessels within three
months.
At the expiration of the three months, NIMASA would notify relevant
government authorities and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to bar
vessels without valid Cabotage certificates.
Speaking shortly after the Agency released a Marine Notice to announce
the decision, Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, disclosed
that the notice was part of efforts to ensure strict enforcement of the
Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 and Guidelines on
Implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003.
Jamoh reiterated that the Cabotage Act provided that every vessel
intended for use in domestic trade must be duly registered by the
Registrar of Ships.
The DG stated, “The law provides that every vessel intended for use
under the Cabotage Act must be duly registered in the appropriate
register and the operational certificates are renewed annually. We are
out to ensure the strict implementation of NIMASA’s mandate under the
law.
“Ultimately, our intention is to build and continue to enhance the
capacity of Nigerians in the shipping industry in line with relevant
international regulations.”