NIMASA Cracks Down on Cabotage Violations, Moves to Protect Jobs for Nigerians

The Agency has announced enhanced enforcement of the statutory requirements for indigenous participation in Cabotage and other maritime activities, warning vessel owners, operators, charterers and other industry players to comply with the law or risk regulatory action.

The new enforcement position is contained in a Marine Notice issued by NIMASA in line with its mandate under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, as well as the relevant regulations and implementation guidelines.

At the heart of the move is a simple objective: Cabotage business in Nigeria should create real opportunities for Nigerians.

Under the new regime, individuals and companies seeking vessels for Cabotage operations must use vessels that meet Nigeria’s requirements on ownership, registration, manning and construction.

Such vessels must also be properly registered in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies Engaged in Cabotage.

NIMASA is equally requiring vessels, owners, operators, charterers, managers and other stakeholders involved in Cabotage operations to maintain valid certificates, licences, registrations and other statutory documents required for their activities.

For vessels to qualify under the Cabotage framework, they are expected, where applicable, to be wholly owned by Nigerian citizens, registered in the relevant Special Register, manned by Nigerians and built in Nigeria.

There is, however, room for exceptions where the required Nigerian capacity is genuinely unavailable. In such cases, deployment of vessels that do not meet the requirements can only be considered after the necessary conditions have been established and verified by NIMASA.

The latest enforcement push is significant because the Cabotage law was introduced to increase Nigerian participation in domestic shipping and ensure that the huge economic opportunities in coastal and inland shipping do not remain largely in foreign hands.

For NIMASA, enforcement is therefore not only about checking documents. It is also about protecting the local maritime industry, developing Nigerian capacity and ensuring that shipping activities translate into jobs and business opportunities for citizens.

The Agency said it would continue to monitor compliance with the Cabotage Act, its regulations and applicable guidelines.
The Marine Notice takes immediate effect.

NIMASA said the enforcement measures further underline its commitment to increasing indigenous participation in both local and international shipping, building local maritime capacity and ensuring that Cabotage contributes meaningfully to Nigeria’s wider economic development.

With the latest directive, operators in the Cabotage space are expected to take a closer look at their vessels, documentation, ownership structures and operational compliance.

For Nigerian maritime businesses and workers, the real test will be whether stronger enforcement can finally turn the promise of Cabotage into more ships for Nigerians, more jobs for Nigerian seafarers and greater value for the Nigerian economy.