In Cabotage Compliance Crackdown, NIMASA Detains Four Vessels

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has detained four vessels in Lagos waters as part of an intensified enforcement drive targeting non-compliance with Nigeria’s cabotage regulations, applicable levies and other maritime requirements.

The vessels identified during the operation, codenamed ‘Operation Sea Guardian’, are MT HOLMES, MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, JS GRATITUDE and MT BORA. According to the agency’s report, some vessels have since been released after their operators regularised identified infractions.

The targeted operation deployed assets under the Deep Blue Project to track, board and inspect vessels flagged through intelligence reports, surveillance profiling and compliance indicators. NIMASA enforcement personnel worked alongside the Nigerian Navy, the Maritime Guard Command and C4i intelligence personnel.

The exercise focused on verifying operators’ obligations under the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, checking compliance with applicable surcharges and levies, and assessing adherence to relevant maritime regulations.

 Compliance implications for maritime operators

The enforcement action underscores the growing importance of regulatory due diligence across Nigeria’s domestic shipping industry. Vessel owners, operators, charterers and managers must ensure that their operations meet applicable cabotage requirements and that statutory documentation, registrations, licences and payments remain valid.

The cabotage framework is designed to promote indigenous participation and strengthen Nigerian capacity in coastal and inland shipping. Non-compliance can expose operators to detention, enforcement proceedings and other sanctions provided for under the applicable laws.

NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, indicated that similar operations would become more frequent, urging maritime stakeholders to regularise outstanding compliance issues and meet their statutory obligations.

The agency’s use of intelligence-led vessel profiling and a consolidated database of vessels of interest also highlights the role of risk-based supervision in maritime regulation. By prioritising vessels flagged through compliance indicators, regulators can direct enforcement resources towards higher-risk operations.

For shipping companies, the development reinforces the need for periodic compliance audits, verification of vessel eligibility for cabotage trade, accurate record-keeping and timely settlement of applicable levies. Proactive compliance management can help reduce operational disruptions, regulatory exposure and potential financial losses.

The crackdown signals a more assertive enforcement approach by NIMASA, with implications for operators seeking to maintain uninterrupted and lawful participation in Nigeria’s domestic maritime trade.