The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has begun the issuance of a new certificate of ship registration.
The agency is at the same time phasing out old permits.
This is contained in a statement signed NIMASA’s assistant head of Corporate Communications, Edward Osagie, on Sunday in Lagos.
The statement quoted the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr Bashir Jamoh, as saying that the development was aimed at strengthening security and preventing entry of unseaworthy and sub-standard ships.
Mr Jamoh also said, “we are restructuring the Nigerian Ship Registration Office to serve us more efficiently and effectively. We are determined to grow our national fleet and tonnage to an enviable height.
“We are committed to ensuring that our Ship Registry remains of international standard and this is why we have enhanced our certificates with more security features that will stand the test of time.
“The all-encompassing process of issuance will ensure robust screening of vessels that will visit our waters,” the managing director said.
Mr Jamoh noted that the new regulation, which took effect from July 1, involves the Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel, Fishing Boat and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessel, among others.
He added that the Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel; and Foreign Owned Vessels are also affected.
“Others are Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Joint Venture Owned Vessel, Deletion Certificate, Bill of Sale and Transcript of Registry.
“The Certificate of Mortgage to Secure Account Current and Certificate of Freedom of Encumbrance have also been changed.
“All existing certificates issued by the Registrar of Ships before the commencement of the new regulation remain valid and should be carried on board vessels until their expiration,” the managing director said.
Mr Jamoh said that vessel owners or Masters may apply for the issuance of their existing certificates.
He added the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007 made it mandatory for the Originals of Certificates of Registry to be carried onboard vessels at all times.
The managing director said that the issuance of these certificates was in fulfillment of Section 30 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.
The Act provides that: “the Registrar of Ships should on completion of the registration of a ship, issue a certificate of registration in such form as may be approved by the Agency.
