NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY ACT 2007
Act · Transport
Policy date: 2007-01-01
An Act establishes the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency to regulate maritime safety, ship registration, and security in Nigerian waters. It targets ship owners, operators, seafarers, and port services. The agency aims to enhance safety standards and competitiveness in the maritime industry.
What Is This Policy?
An Act establishing the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) as the principal federal authority for maritime safety administration, ship registration, seafarer certification, maritime security, and suppression of piracy in Nigerian waters.
Who Does It Target?
Ship owners, operators, and managers Seafarers and maritime training institutions Port operators and maritime service providers Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To consolidate maritime safety and environmental regulatory functions in a single agency, improve the competitiveness and safety standards of the Nigerian maritime industry, and implement IMO conventions.
Key Features
Regulatory Authority: NIMASA is the flag and port state control authority for all vessels in Nigerian jurisdiction. Ship Registration: Manages the Nigerian Ship Register and issues certificates of registry. Seafarer Certification: Administers STCW-compliant seafarer training, examination, and certification. Anti-Piracy Powers: Coordinates with the Nigerian Navy and other agencies to suppress piracy and sea robbery. Maritime Environment: Enforces MARPOL and related environmental regulations for Nigerian waters.
Current Status
In force. NIMASA is fully operational as the principal maritime regulatory authority, actively enforcing maritime safety standards, seafarer certification, and anti-piracy measures in Nigerian waters.
Ship owners register vessels and obtain certificates through NIMASA Seafarers enrol in NIMASA-recognised maritime academies for certification Maritime service providers obtain relevant NIMASA licences Application method: NIMASA headquarters, Lagos, and Abuja liaison office
Important Terms
All vessels in Nigerian waters must hold valid NIMASA certificates Penalties for non-compliance range from fines to vessel detention and prosecution NIMASA has right of entry to all vessels in Nigerian jurisdiction
Official Resources
Website: www.nimasa.gov.ng Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria
Legal Framework
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Act establishes NIMASA as the primary maritime administration and safety authority. It operates under the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, the Nigerian Ports Authority Act, and the 1999 Constitution (Second Schedule — shipping on the Exclusive Legislative List). NIMASA aligns with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Convention, the SOLAS Convention, the MARPOL Convention, and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC 2006).