NIMASA Reaffirms Cabotage Priority, Backs Indigenous Maritime Capacity

The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dayo Mobereola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector through effective implementation of the Cabotage regime.

Mobereola stated this on Tuesday during a working visit and inspection tour of Marine Platforms Limited’s African Pioneer Lagos Vessel in Lagos.

The inspection, according to NIMASA, was part of efforts to promote safety, regulatory compliance and operational standards across the country’s maritime industry.

The African Pioneer Lagos Vessel, with IMO Number 9808613, is a Nigerian-flagged offshore Diving Support Vessel measuring approximately 143 metres in length and with a deadweight of about 8,000 metric tonnes. The specialised vessel is equipped for deep-water subsea construction, diving, inspection and offshore oil and gas operations.

Speaking after inspecting the vessel, Mobereola expressed satisfaction with its capacity and stressed that Nigerian-flagged vessels should receive priority in the country’s maritime operations.

“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 automating the Nigerian Ship Registry as part of measures to make it more attractive to shipowners and encourage more vessels to register under the Nigerian flag.

He said the initiative would contribute to expanding Nigeria’s indigenous maritime capacity while creating more opportunities for local professionals and seafarers.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Taofeek Adegbite, said the company had benefited significantly from the Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act.

Adegbite said Marine Platforms acquired its first vessel, MT African Vision, in 2012 and had since continued to benefit from policies promoting indigenous participation in the maritime and offshore sectors.

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

He expressed satisfaction with the decision to fly the Nigerian flag on the company’s vessels operating in Nigerian waters, urging other shipowners to register their vessels with the Nigerian Ship Registry.

Adegbite, however, called for a review of the classification system to give special consideration to crews operating large and specialised vessels, saying this would encourage more owners of bigger vessels to register them in Nigeria.

He appreciated NIMASA for its support and said the African Pioneer demonstrated the ability of Nigerian companies and professionals to operate sophisticated maritime assets in line with international standards.

According to him, the increased use of Nigerian-flagged vessels would also provide opportunities for the development of indigenous maritime manpower and expertise.

Adegbite noted that countries such as the Philippines had built a strong global reputation in seafaring, while Norway had become renowned for shipbuilding, stressing that Nigeria could also develop and establish a globally recognised area of specialisation within the maritime industry.