NIMASA INTRODUCES NEW CERTIFICATES OF SHIP REGISTRATION.

The era of unseaworthy substandard ships entering into the country’s seawater may soon be over.

This is because, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, is moving against such ships coming into the country.

It has commenced the issuance of new certificates of ship registration and gradually phasing out the old permits.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh the Nigerian Ship Registration Office was being restructured to grow the country’s fleet to an enviable height.

He said that the restructuring was to bring the Ship Registry to international standard, hence the new ship certificates are being enhanced with more security features.

According to Dr. Jamoh, the process of issuance of certificates will guarantee robust screening of vessels coming into the nations waters.

A statement signed by the Assistant Director, Public Relations, Mr Edward Osagie says the new registration started on July One.

The new regulation involves Certificate of Nigerian Registry, Provisional Certificate of Registry, Certificate of Nigerian Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel, Fishing Boat and Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Wholly Owned Nigerian Vessel, among others.

The Certificate of Cabotage Ship Registry for Bareboat Chartered Vessel; and Foreign Owned Vessels are also affected.

Others are 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 has also been changed.

It says all existing certificates issued by the Registrar of Ships before the commencement of the new regulation remain valid and should be carried onboard vessels until their expiration. But vessel owners or Masters may apply for the issuance of their existing certificates

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

The statement adds that the issuance of the certificates is a fulfilment of Section 30 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 which provides, inter alia, 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 the Agency”.

By Fabian Anawo