Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has sealed off ShellPlux and TMDK terminals, situated in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos, over repeated violations of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code.
The action, announced on Thursday by NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, stems from the agency’s responsibility as Nigeria’s designated authority for enforcing the ISPS Code, which was developed under the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, as part of amendments to the SOLAS Convention.
The code is designed to strengthen security protocols for ships and port facilities engaged in international commerce.
Edward stated that the shutdown followed consistent failure by the two terminals to comply with ISPS Code requirements, despite multiple formal warnings issued over time.
“This enforcement action is in line with global maritime security standards and conforms with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations, 2014, which permits the closure of non-compliant facilities that remain in breach for more than three consecutive months,” he stated.
Commenting on the enforcement, NIMASA Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, noted that the agency resorted to the measure only after exhausting all other options.
“Our intervention is not punitive but necessary to protect Nigeria’s maritime assets. As we work closely with the United States Coast Guard to improve Nigeria’s compliance status and remove existing conditions of entry for vessels, lapses like these cannot be ignored,” Mobereola said.
He emphasized that both facilities play vital roles in trade facilitation and would be reopened once they demonstrate full compliance with ISPS standards.
Mobereola also reiterated the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to ensuring the growth of a secure, efficient, and sustainable maritime environment that supports international trade.
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