NIMASA Launches Operation Sea Guardian to Enforce Compliance

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has initiated Operation Sea Guardian, a targeted enforcement operation aimed at ensuring compliance with maritime regulations in Nigerian waters. This operation led to the detention of several vessels, including MT HOLMES, MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, JS GRATITUDE, and MT BORA, for nonconformity within the Lagos maritime domain.

Some vessels have since regularized their infractions and been released. Operation Sea Guardian focuses on verifying cabotage obligations, assessing surcharge and levy compliance, and ensuring adherence to maritime regulations.

It utilized Deep Blue assets for tracking and inspecting vessels identified through intelligence reports. The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that such operations will become more frequent, emphasizing that defaulting operators will face severe legal consequences.

NIMASA had previously issued a marine notice on August 26, 2026, reiterating the conditions for engaging in Cabotage trade and warning that violators would face appropriate enforcement actions.