L-R: Baji Nyam , Chief Executive Officer Marine Platforms, Taofeek Adegbite; Director General/CEO, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, Bíọdún Odunsi – Chief Operating Officer (COO), African Pioneer Lagos Vessel, during the NIMASA DG/CEO working visit to Marine Platforms.

• NIMASA automates ship registry to attract more vessels
• Marine Platforms hails Cabotage regime, Nigerian Content policy

BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, has declared that Nigerian-flagged vessels operating within the country’s maritime space must receive priority over foreign-flagged ships, as part of efforts to deepen indigenous capacity and strengthen the nation’s maritime industry.

Mobereola made the declaration during a working visit to Marine Platforms Limited, where he inspected the company’s African Pioneer Lagos, a Nigerian-flagged offshore Diving Support Vessel, DSV.

The vessel, with IMO Number 9808613, measures approximately 143 metres in length and has a deadweight of about 8,000 metric tonnes. It is designed for specialised deep-water subsea construction, diving, inspection and offshore oil and gas operations.

Speaking after the inspection, Mobereola expressed satisfaction with the technical capacity demonstrated by the vessel and its crew, stressing that ships of such calibre flying the Nigerian flag should enjoy preferential consideration over foreign vessels operating in the country.

“I’m quite happy at what I have seen today after the tour of this 8,000 metric tonnes African Pioneer Specialised Vessel. A vessel such as this flying the Nigerian flag should have priority over any foreign vessel,” he said.

The NIMASA boss disclosed that the agency was accelerating the automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of measures to make the registry more attractive to shipowners and encourage more vessels to fly the Nigerian flag.

According to him, a stronger national fleet would not only increase Nigeria’s presence in international shipping but also create opportunities for indigenous shipowners, seafarers and maritime professionals.

He said: “We are automating the Nigerian Ship Registry to make it more attractive and to ensure that more vessels like this fly the Nigerian flag.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Mr Taofeek Adegbite, said his company had benefited significantly from Nigeria’s Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act.

Adegbite recalled that since acquiring the company’s first vessel, MT African Vision, in 2012, the policy framework had contributed substantially to securing regular contracts for its vessels operating in Nigerian waters.

“We have no regret flying the Nigerian flag and I will invite more shipowners to register their flags in the Nigerian Ship Registry,” Adegbite said.

He, however, urged NIMASA to consider a special classification and regulatory framework for the crews of very large and specialised vessels, arguing that such recognition would encourage operators of bigger ships to register them under the Nigerian flag.

Adegbite also commended NIMASA for its support, saying the African Pioneer Lagos demonstrated that Nigerian companies and professionals possessed the capacity to operate sophisticated vessels to international standards.

He noted that the promotion of the Nigerian flag would also strengthen opportunities for developing indigenous maritime manpower and expertise.

Drawing comparisons with established maritime nations, Adegbite said Nigeria could deliberately develop a globally recognised area of specialisation in the maritime sector.

He cited the Philippines’ global reputation for seafaring and Norway’s prominence in shipbuilding, stressing that Nigeria could similarly build an international niche by consistently investing in indigenous maritime capacity, specialised vessels and skilled manpower.

The NIMASA visit to Marine Platforms underscores the agency’s renewed emphasis on the Cabotage regime, indigenous fleet development and a stronger Nigerian Ship Registry as key components of efforts to increase Nigerian participation in the nation’s maritime economy.