NIMASA Launches “Operation Zero Tolerance” to Enforce Maritime Law Compliance

Victoria Silvanus




The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a comprehensive enforcement initiative aimed at strengthening compliance with maritime laws and regulations across Nigerian waters.

The enforcement drive, tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance,” was announced through an official Marine Notice issued under the Agency’s statutory powers as provided by the NIMASA Act 2007, Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other applicable maritime regulations.

The announcement was contained in a press release signed by Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations at NIMASA.

Under the new directive, all maritime operators and stakeholders—including vessel owners and operators, shipping companies and agents, charterers, oil and gas companies, offshore installation operators, Free Trade Zone (FTZ) vessel operators, as well as masters and officers of merchant vessels—are required to ensure full compliance with all statutory requirements before operating in Nigerian waters.

Key areas of compliance include proper vessel registration, possession of valid statutory certifications, up-to-date ownership documentation, and strict adherence to Cabotage provisions governing vessel ownership, registration, manning, and construction. Operators are also required to ensure the timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies, fees, and charges as prescribed by law.

As part of the enforcement process, NIMASA will conduct both random and targeted vessel inspections at ports, terminals, offshore locations, and other operational areas. These inspections will involve physical examinations and documentary verification of vessel records against the Agency’s databases. Operators may also be required to present evidence of payment for applicable statutory levies and fees.

To allow stakeholders adequate time to regularize their operations, NIMASA has approved a 30-day grace period, effective January 5, 2026. During this period, operators are expected to conduct self-audits and voluntarily comply with all regulatory requirements.

The Agency warned that failure to comply after the expiration of the grace period will attract strict enforcement actions. These may include vessel detention, financial penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.

Speaking on the initiative, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to promoting indigenous shipping development, enhancing maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring strict adherence to Nigeria’s maritime laws.

Dr. Mobereola urged maritime stakeholders to support the initiative, noting that sustained compliance would help consolidate regulatory gains, improve safety standards, strengthen maritime security, and ensure the sustainable utilization of Nigeria’s marine resources.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Guardians of the Waterways: Zonal Coordinator Applauds Western Marine Command’s Fight Against Smuggling

Image
 The Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Customs Service Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) Charles Orbih, recently paid a working visit to the Western Marine Command, commending the officers for their remarkable performance in anti-smuggling operations and maritime border security. The visit, filled with praise and reflection, underscored the critical role of the Command in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic interests, especially as the nation ramps up efforts to curb illegal trade and protect its maritime borders. “Your work here is not just important, it is critical to our national survival,” ACG Orbih declared, addressing officers who have made notable seizures of contraband items worth over ₦352 million in Duty Paid Value in recent weeks. These efforts, he emphasized, are about more than statistics, they represent tangible acts of service in defense of Nigeria’s economy and public well-being. “The seizures you made go beyond mere numbers,” Orbih stated. “They tell t...
Read more

Nigeria Customs Service Cracks Down on Smuggling: ₦1.28 Billion Worth of Contraband Seized in Two Weeks

Image
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) In a bold and highly successful offensive fight against smuggling has announced the seizure of contraband goods valued at ₦1.28 billion within just two weeks. The operation, led by the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, reflects the agency’s intensified drive to protect the Nigerian economy and promote trade. Between May 19 and May 31, 2025, the FOU Zone A conducted 46 targeted interceptions across Lagos and border states, uncovering a wide array of illegally imported goods. Some of the most significant recoveries include Cannabis sativa concealed in a truck compartments Towels 7 Mitsubishi Canters, 5 Toyota Hiace buses, 3 Mini Shuttle buses (all dismantled for concealment), and 11 used vehicles (commonly known as Tokunbo 1,665kg of Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) hidden in concealed truck compartments 2,051 bags of foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to four trailer-loads) 4,000 litres o...
Read more

NEARLY TWO DECADES OF CONCESSION, APMT REMAINS UNDER FIRE FOR POOR SERVICE DELIVERY

Image
 As Nigeria nears the 20th anniversary of its port concession policy, widespread dissatisfaction is mounting among stakeholders in the maritime sector, with particular criticism aimed at APM Terminals (APMT), a key player in port operations. In 2006, under the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s seaports were concessioned in a bid to enhance efficiency, attract private investment, and modernize the sector.  However, almost two decades after, the promises of improved service delivery and infrastructural upgrades remain largely unmet especially at APMT, one of the largest terminal operators in the country.  sticker at a Terminal in Tin Can Inland Port Industry operators and freight forwarders are now calling not just for a review but for an outright cancellation of some of these concession agreements, citing persistent inefficiencies, poor customer service, and infrastructural decay. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Chukwuemek...
Read more