The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) issued a notice for vessels engaging in coastal trading in Nigeria to ensure compliance with the relevant laws. These include ensuring that licenses are renewed, and applications for waivers when applicable, are made, timely.
Through Marine Notice 09/20/5N01, NIMASA reminded that, under section 22 of the Cabotage Act 2003, vessels intended for use in the domestic coastal and inland waters trade are to be registered in the applicable Special Register for cabotage Vessels and Ship Owning Companies engaged in the Cabotage.
The certificate of the Cabotage registration / License shall be carried out annually. All vessels operating in Nigerian waters with expired Cabotage Certificates of Registry are required to renew them.
All shipowners, ship operators, shipping agents, ship charterers including fishing vessel owners or operators and the public are hereby given three months from the date of this publication to ensure strict compliance with this marine notice,
…NIMASA said.
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