NIMASA detains four vessels in fresh cabotage crackdown

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has intensified enforcement of Nigeria’s Cabotage regulations, detaining vessels over alleged violations in Lagos waters as it moves to strengthen indigenous participation in coastal and inland shipping.

The vessels identified during the intelligence-led operation, code-named Operation Sea Guardian, included MT Holmes, MT Fujairah Energy, JS Gratitude and MT Bora.

NIMASA said some vessels had been released after regularising their infractions.

The operation focused on verifying compliance with Cabotage obligations, assessing applicable surcharges and levies, and enforcing other maritime regulations.

The intensified operation involved NIMASA enforcement personnel, the Nigerian Navy, the Maritime Guard Command and C4i intelligence personnel, supported by Deep Blue assets deployed to track, board and inspect targeted vessels.

According to the agency, vessels considered at high risk of defaulting on Cabotage requirements were prioritised for scrutiny and added to an existing database used to plan subsequent enforcement operations.

NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said the agency would conduct such operations more frequently, warning that operators found in breach of the law would face stiff sanctions.

“We had earlier served notice of enhanced enforcement of indigenous participation in our coastal and inland trade, and this is exactly what we are doing,”

Mobereola said. “It is therefore in the interest of operators to ensure total compliance because defaulters will be visited with stiff sanctions in line with the law.”

The crackdown follows a marine notice issued by NIMASA on August 26, 2026, which restated the conditions for participating in Cabotage trade and warned vessel owners, companies, operators, charterers and other stakeholders against violations.

The Cabotage regime is intended to promote Nigerian capacity in domestic shipping and expand opportunities for indigenous maritime operators.

Consistent enforcement is therefore central to ensuring compliance and strengthening local participation in the sector.

NIMASA said Operation Sea Guardian forms part of its continuing efforts to improve regulatory oversight and ensure adherence to applicable maritime laws.

JS Gratitude and Bora are both Nigerian-flagged vessels while Holmes with IMO number 9858785 is registered in the Marshall Islands, based on the available ship tracking records.