NIMASA bans unseaworthy, substandard vessels from ship registry

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has banned unseaworthy and sub-standard vessels from the Nigerian Ship Registry.

NIMASA also said it will issue new certificates of ship registration and simultaneously phase out the old permits.

The agency, in a press statement on Sunday by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, said issuing new certificates was to ensure the utilisation of secured statutory certificates and prevent the entry of unseaworthy and sub-standard ships into the Nigerian flag.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said: “We are restructuring the Nigerian Ship Registration Office to serve you more efficiently and effectively. We are determined to grow our national fleet and tonnage to an enviable height.”

According to Jamoh, “We are committed to ensuring that our Ship Registry remains of International Standard and this is why we have enhanced our certificates with more security features that would stand the test of time. The all-encompassing process of issuance will ensure robust screening of vessels that would visit our waters.”

The new regulation, which took effect from July 1, involves the Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel, Fishing Boat and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessel, among others.