The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency said it has commenced a special operational enforcement code-named Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance in the nation’s maritime domain as part of efforts to ensure full compliance with existing maritime laws.
The directive, according to a recent statement by the Deputy Director/Head of Public Relations at NIMASA, Osagie Edward, was issued through a Marine Notice, pursuant to the agency’s statutory mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other applicable regulations.
He explained that under this operation, all ship and vessel owners, operators, managers, international and national oil companies, masters and officers of merchant ships, shipping companies, shipping agents, charterers, offshore installations and platform operators, vessel operators at the Free Trade Zones, and maritime stakeholders operating or intending to operate within Nigerian waters are required to ensure full compliance with statutory requirements.
“These include proper vessel registration, valid certifications, updated ownership documentation, and adherence to cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and build,” he said.
Osagie stressed that the notice also emphasised the importance of timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.
According to him, as part of the enforcement process, “NIMASA will conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify documentation against its databases, and carry out physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, and offshore locations. Operators will also be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees upon request.”
He explained that NIMASA has provided stakeholders with a 30-day grace period, starting 5 January 2026, to conduct self-audits and comply voluntarily, warning that failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period will attract enforcement actions, including vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, assured all stakeholders of the agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous shipping development, enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring strict compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws.
“We therefore urge all stakeholders to do their part so that together, we can build on the gains of previous regulatory achievements, which are enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment, and sustainable utilisation of our marine resources,” Mobereola added.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency is the apex maritime regulatory agency in Nigeria.
