This is just as the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has sought the support of NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) to enhance the country’s ship registry and implement a globally recognised framework.

The Secretary-General of IMO, Arsenio Dominguez, during the 112th session of the IMO Legal Committee (LEG 112), taking place from March 24 to 28, 2025, emphasised the need for member states to eliminate fraudulent ship registrations and registries to uphold global shipping standards.

He stressed the importance of maintaining high shipping standards to ensure compliance with IMO regulations.

“The Committee will be discussing a new proposed output to develop guidelines or best practices for ship registration. I believe this is a timely opportunity to enhance performance and transparency in global compliance with IMO instruments,” Dominguez stated.

The move to enhance Nigeria’s registry aligns with its broader strategy to attract more vessel registrations, strengthen its maritime industry, and position itself as a major player in global shipping.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NSML, Abdulkadir Ahmed, emphasised the importance of making Nigeria’s ship registry internationally competitive.

“The essence of a registry lies in its global recognition, ensuring that vessels registered under it can freely operate across international waters and be accepted for trade. One of the steps we are taking to improve Nigeria’s ship registry is supporting NIMASA in establishing a framework that enhances its acceptability,” Ahmed stated.

https://guardian.ng/business-services/maritime/nigeria-seeks-endorsement-as-imo-rallies-crackdown-on-illegal-ship-registries/