NIMASA Declares ‘Zero Tolerance’ on Maritime Violations, Gives Operators 30-Day Compliance Window
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a nationwide enforcement exercise tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance”, signaling a tougher stance on violations of maritime laws within Nigerian waters.
The initiative, announced through a Marine Notice, is part of efforts to ensure strict adherence to existing maritime regulations and is backed by the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other relevant legal instruments.
Under the operation, all vessel and ship owners, operators, managers, shipping companies and agents, charterers, international and indigenous oil companies, offshore installation and platform operators, Free Trade Zone (FTZ) vessel operators, as well as masters and officers of merchant ships, are required to fully comply with statutory requirements before operating in Nigerian waters.
These requirements include proper vessel registration, possession of valid statutory certificates, updated ownership documentation, and full compliance with Cabotage provisions on vessel ownership, registration, manning and construction. Operators are also mandated to ensure the prompt payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.
As part of the enforcement process, NIMASA will carry out random and targeted inspections of vessels, conduct physical and documentary compliance checks, and verify submitted documents against its databases at ports, terminals and offshore locations. Operators may be required to present proof of payment of all applicable levies and fees on demand.
To allow stakeholders time to regularise their operations, the Agency has granted a 30-day grace period, beginning January 5, 2026, for self-audit and voluntary compliance.
NIMASA warned that operators who fail to comply after the expiration of the grace period will face strict enforcement actions, including vessel detention, financial 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, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to strengthening indigenous shipping development, improving maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment and enforcing Nigeria’s maritime laws without compromise.
He urged industry stakeholders to cooperate with the Agency, stressing that collective compliance would help consolidate previous regulatory gains, enhance safety, secure the maritime domain and promote the sustainable use of Nigeria’s marine resources.
