NIMASA Prioritizes Nigerian Vessels Over Foreign Ships

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), led by Director-General Dr Dayo Mobereola, has declared that Nigerian-flagged vessels must take precedence over foreign ships for operations within Nigeria's territorial waters. This announcement was made during a tour of Marine Platforms Limited’s offshore Diving Support Vessel (DSV) in Lagos.

Mobereola emphasized the importance of developing indigenous capacity under the Cabotage regime, stating that vessels like the 8,000 metric tonnes African Pioneer, which is Nigerian-flagged, should be prioritized. He mentioned that NIMASA is automating the Nigerian ship registry to attract more vessels to fly the Nigerian flag.

Mr Taofeek Adegbite, CEO of Marine Platforms Limited, expressed that the Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Act have significantly benefited his company since acquiring its first vessel in 2012. Adegbite called for a classification system to support crew operating large vessels and highlighted the potential for developing indigenous maritime manpower through greater patronage of Nigerian-flagged vessels.