The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Malta Ship Registry have commenced discussions on a potential partnership aimed at strengthening and modernising Nigeria’s ship registration system.
The Director-General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, held strategic talks with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen of the Malta Ship Registry, Ivan Tabone, on the sidelines of the Posidonia 2026 maritime exhibition in Athens.
The discussions centred on knowledge sharing, capacity building, regulatory efficiency, digital transformation and best practices in ship registration, with both parties exploring opportunities for technical cooperation to enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian Ship Registry.
Speaking during the meeting, Mobereola reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to fully automating the Nigerian Ship Registry in line with international standards. He said the agency’s ongoing reforms are designed to improve operational efficiency, encourage indigenous vessel registration, boost investor confidence and position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
According to him, NIMASA is focused on developing a transparent and technology-driven registry capable of supporting the growth of Nigeria’s maritime sector while aligning with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola.
The Malta Ship Registry is regarded as one of the world’s leading ship registries, ranking as the largest merchant shipping register in Europe and among the top six globally in terms of gross tonnage. The registry has more than 9,500 vessels under its flag and is widely recognised for its robust legal framework, efficient administration and compliance with international maritime standards.
Industry observers believe that collaboration between NIMASA and the Malta Ship Registry could provide valuable expertise and technical support to accelerate reforms within Nigeria’s ship registration system and strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry.
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