The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening indigenous capacity in Nigeria’s maritime sector through effective implementation of the Cabotage regime.
NIMASA Director-General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, stated this during a tour of Marine Platforms Limited’s African Pioneer Lagos vessel in Lagos.
The Nigerian-flagged offshore Diving Support Vessel, with IMO Number 9808613, measures about 143 metres in length and has a deadweight of approximately 8,000 metric tonnes. It is equipped for deep-water subsea construction, diving, inspection and offshore oil and gas operations.
Mobereola said vessels of such capacity flying the Nigerian flag should receive priority over foreign vessels, adding that NIMASA is automating the Nigerian Ship Registry to make it more attractive to shipowners.
“I’m quite happy at what I have seen today after the tour of this 8,000 metric tonnes African Pioneer Specialised Vessel,” he said.
The NIMASA DG said the automation of the ship registry would help encourage more vessels to fly the Nigerian flag and support the development of indigenous maritime capacity.
The Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Taofeek Adegbite, said his company had benefited significantly from the Cabotage regime and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Act.
Adegbite said Marine Platforms had operated its first vessel, MT African Vision, since 2012 and remained proud of flying the Nigerian flag on its vessels operating in Nigerian waters.
He urged more shipowners to register their vessels under the Nigerian flag, while calling for a classification system that would give special consideration to crews operating very large vessels.
Adegbite said the African Pioneer Lagos demonstrates the ability of Nigerian companies and professionals to operate specialised vessels to international standards.
He added that increased use of the Nigerian flag would create more opportunities for developing indigenous maritime manpower.
According to him, Nigeria could develop globally recognised areas of maritime specialisation, citing the Philippines’ reputation for seafaring and Norway’s strength in shipbuilding as examples.
Comment here