NIMASA Declares Zero Tolerance for Maritime Violations, Gives Operators 30 Days to Comply

In a decisive move to strengthen regulatory compliance and enhance safety within Nigeria’s maritime domain, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has commenced a special enforcement initiative tagged “Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance” in Nigerian waters.
The operation, announced via a Marine Notice, is anchored on NIMASA’s statutory powers under the NIMASA Act 2007, the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, and other relevant maritime regulations.
Under the new enforcement regime, NIMASA said it would no longer condone breaches of maritime laws, warning that all operators within Nigeria’s maritime environment must ensure full and continuous compliance with existing statutory requirements.
The directive applies to a wide spectrum of industry players, including ship and vessel owners, operators and managers, international and national oil companies, masters and officers of merchant vessels, shipping companies and agents, charterers, offshore installation and platform operators, Free Trade Zone (FTZ) vessel operators, and other maritime stakeholders operating or intending to operate in Nigerian waters.
According to the Agency, compliance requirements include proper vessel registration, possession of valid statutory certifications, updated ownership documentation, and strict adherence to Cabotage provisions relating to vessel ownership, registration, manning, and construction. Operators are also expected to ensure the timely payment and remittance of all statutory levies and fees as prescribed by law.
As part of the enforcement strategy, NIMASA disclosed that it would conduct random and targeted vessel inspections, verify operators’ documentation against its databases, and carry out both physical and documentary compliance assessments at ports, terminals, offshore locations, and other operational areas. Operators may also be required, at any time, to present proof of payment of applicable statutory charges.
To provide room for voluntary compliance, the Agency granted a 30-day self-audit and regularisation window, effective January 5, 2026, during which stakeholders are expected to review their operations and address any compliance gaps.
However, NIMASA warned that failure to regularise operations after the expiration of the grace period would attract strict enforcement actions. These include vessel detention, monetary penalties, withdrawal of waivers or operational licences, and denial of port clearance until full compliance is achieved.
Reaffirming the Agency’s resolve, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the initiative aligns with the government’s broader objective of strengthening indigenous shipping, improving maritime safety and security, protecting the marine environment, and ensuring the sustainable use of Nigeria’s marine resources.
“We urge all stakeholders to do their part so that together, we can build on the gains of previous regulatory achievements—enhanced safety, a secure maritime environment, and the sustainable utilisation of our marine resources,” Mobereola said.
NIMASA emphasized that Operation Zero Tolerance for Non-Compliance marks a renewed commitment to enforcing maritime laws without exception, signalling a tougher regulatory posture aimed at sanitising Nigeria’s maritime industry and improving global confidence in the nation’s waters.