News

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has stepped up enforcement of Nigeria’s coastal shipping regulations, arresting the tankers 'Holmes', 'Fujairah Energy', 'JS Gratitude' and 'Bora' in Lagos over alleged violations of the Cabotage Act and other maritime rules, on Oct 21, 2026. The agency said that some of the vessels had been released after regularising their alleged infractions, while enforcement measures were aimed at ensuring compliance with indigenous participation requirements in coastal and inland shipping. The arrests were carried out under Operation Sea Guardian, an intelligence-led initiative designed to identify vessels suspected of defaulting on their Cabotage obligations, including applicable surcharges and levies. The operation involved Deep Blue assets and collaboration among its enforcement personnel, the Nigerian Navy, the Maritime Guard Command and C4i intelligence personnel. The exercise relied on intelligence reports, surveillance and compliance assessments to identify high-risk vessels for inspection and further scrutiny. The agency had issued a marine notice on Aug 26, outlining the requirements for participation in Cabotage trade and warning vessel owners, companies, operators and charterers against violations. The renewed enforcement drive was part of efforts to strengthen indigenous capacity in coastal and inland shipping and ensure compliance with applicable maritime regulations.

The 'Majd' was detained in Zhoushan on Oct 20, 2026, with two detainable defiencies: 07116 - FIRE SAFETY - Ventilation (no responsibility of RO) 01125 - CERTIFICATE AND DOCUMENTATION - SHIP CERTIFICATES - Engine International Air Pollution Prev. Cert. (no responsibility of RO).

The 'Xinghe Express' was detained in Shenzhen on Oct 19, 2026, with five detainable defiencies: 07103 - FIRE SAFETY - Division - decks,bulkheads and penetrations (no responsibility of RO) 06101 - CARGO OPERATIONS INCLUDING EQUIPMENT - Cargo Securing Manual (no responsibility of RO) 10138 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Bridge Navigation Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) (no responsibility of RO) 03105 - WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS - Covers (hatchway-, portable-, tarpaulins, etc.) (no responsibility of RO) 03108 - WATER/WEATHERTIGHT CONDITIONS - Ventilators, air pipes, casings (no responsibility of RO). The ship was released again on Oct 20.

The 'Successor' was detained in Huanghua on Oct 20, 2026, with three detainable defiencies: 02199 - STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS - Other (Structural condition) (no responsibility of RO) 11101 - LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES - Lifeboats (no responsibility of RO) 07114 - FIRE SAFETY - Remote Means of control (opening,pumps,ventilation,etc.) Machinery spaces (no responsibility of RO).

The 'Power JME 11' was detained on Oct 20, 2026, in Tanjung Priok with five detainable defienices: 07110 - FIRE SAFETY - Fire fighting equipment and appliances (no responsibility of RO) 10116 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Nautical publications (no responsibility of RO) 10111 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Charts (no responsibility of RO) 10111 - SAFETY OF NAVIGATION - Charts (no responsibility of RO) 07122 - FIRE SAFETY - Fire control plan (no responsibility of RO).