As part of efforts to enhance automation aimed at promoting global best practice, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA has commenced the issuance of new certificates of ship registration. This new system also comes with simultaneous phasing out of the old permits in a bid to ensure the utilisation of secure statutory certificates and prevent the entry of unseaworthy and sub-standard ships into the Nigerian flag.

The Merchant Shipping Act, 2007 makes it mandatory for the Originals of Certificates of Registry to be carried on board vessels at all times.

Director General of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who made this disclosure, said, that NIMASA is also restructuring the country’s Ship Registration Office to make it more effective, efficient and user-friendly.

In a statement by the Assistant Director, Corporate Communications, Edward Osagie Sunday, the DG said: “We are determined to grow our national fleet and tonnage to an enviable height.

“We are committed to ensuring that our Ship Registry remains of International Standards and this is why we have enhanced our certificates with more security features that would stand the test of time. The all-encompassing process of issuance will ensure robust screening of vessels that would visit our waters.”

It was gathered that the new regulation, which took effect from July 1, involves the Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessels, Fishing Boats and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessels, among others.

Also affected are the Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel; and Foreign Owned Vessels. Others include Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Joint Venture Owned Vessel, Deletion Certificate, Bill of Sale and Transcript of Registry.

The Certificate of Mortgage to Secure Account Current and Certificate of Freedom of Encumbrance have also been upgraded.

Under the new arrangement, all existing certificates issued by the Registrar of Ships before the commencement of the new regulation remain valid and should be carried on board vessels until their expiration date. It was further gathered that the new system expects that vessel owners or Masters may apply for the reissuance of their existing certificates

Note that the issuance of these certificates is a fulfilment of Section 30 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 which provides that the Registrar of Ships shall on completion of the registration of a ship, issue a certificate of registration in such form as may be approved by NIMASA.