NIMASA Vows to Prioritise Cabotage Implementation, Indigenous Fleet Development

By Frontline Reporters

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s Cabotage regime and promoting indigenous capacity in the maritime sector.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, gave the assurance on Tuesday during an inspection tour of the African Pioneer Lagos, an offshore Diving Support Vessel (DSV) operated by Marine Platforms Limited.

The African Pioneer Lagos, with IMO Number 9808613, is a Nigerian-flagged specialised offshore vessel measuring approximately 143 metres in length, with a deadweight capacity of about 8,000 metric tonnes.

Speaking after the inspection, Mobereola said Nigerian-flagged vessels operating within the country’s maritime domain should receive priority over foreign vessels, in line with the objectives of the Cabotage regime.

“I’m quite happy with what I have seen today after the tour of this 8,000-metric-tonne specialised vessel. A vessel such as this flying the Nigerian flag should have priority over any foreign vessel,” he said.

The NIMASA DG disclosed that the agency was also advancing plans to automate the Nigerian Ship Registry, saying the initiative was designed to make the registry more attractive to shipowners and encourage more vessels to fly the Nigerian flag.

“We are automating the Nigerian Ship Registry to make it more attractive and to ensure that more vessels like this fly the Nigerian flag,” Mobereola added.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Mr. Taofeek Adegbite, acknowledged the significant role played by the Cabotage regime in supporting the growth of his company and its fleet.

Adegbite said Marine Platforms was particularly proud to operate vessels bearing the Nigerian flag and commended the policy framework that had helped create opportunities for indigenous operators.

“Since 2012, when we got our very first vessel, MT African Vision, we are happy and proud to say that NIMASA’s Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act have played a major role in ensuring that our vessels have contracts on a regular basis,” he said.

The development underscores the continuing efforts by maritime authorities and indigenous operators to deepen local participation, expand Nigeria’s fleet capacity and maximise the economic benefits of the country’s maritime resources