NIMASA Detains Four Vessels in Lagos Over Cabotage Violations During Operation Sea Guardian
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has confirmed the detention of four vessels in Lagos waters for alleged breaches of the Cabotage Act. The vessels—MT Holmes, MT Fujairah Energy, JS Gratitude, and MT Bora—were apprehended during Operation Sea Guardian, a targeted enforcement exercise designed to strengthen compliance with Nigeria’s maritime laws.
According to NIMASA, some of the vessels have since been released after rectifying their infractions. The operation was a follow-up enforcement aimed at verifying cabotage obligations, surcharge and levy compliance, and adherence to maritime regulations.
The agency explained that the exercise deployed Deep Blue Project assets to track, board, inspect, and verify vessels flagged through intelligence reports. The operation was conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, Maritime Guard Command, and C4i intelligence personnel, ensuring inter-agency synergy.
NIMASA noted that vessels with a high likelihood of defaulting on cabotage obligations were identified and added to a Target Bank, a consolidated repository of vessels of interest used to guide enforcement priorities.
Reacting to the development, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, stressed that such enforcement actions will be more frequent. He warned operators to ensure full compliance with cabotage regulations, stating that defaulters will face stiff sanctions under the law.
It will be recalled that on 26 August 2026, NIMASA issued a marine notice restating cabotage compliance requirements and warning that any vessel, company, or operator found in breach would face enforcement action without further recourse.
