AJOKE PHILIP
Nigerdock, Starz shipyards are among the 27 newly registered and accredited shipyards released by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) across the country.
According to the press statement by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, the accreditation of the shipyards was is in accordance with its mandate enshrined in Section 22 of the NIMASA Act, 2007, and sections 335-339 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007, which gives the Agency statutory powers to regulate, license, inspect and enforce standards for shipyard operations in Nigeria.
Osagie said out of the 27 accredited facilities, 10 are located in Lagos State, 8 in Rivers State, and 9 in Delta State. These are the only shipyards that have so far complied with the Agency’s stringent regulatory, safety, and operational standards.
He, however, stated that the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized that the accreditation exercise forms part of the Agency’s broader drive to enhance safety and streamline operational efficiency in the maritime industry.
“Our goal is to ensure that every shipyard operating in Nigeria adheres to international standards of safety, environmental protection, and operational efficiency. By maintaining a transparent and credible register of accredited facilities, we are boosting investor confidence, protecting maritime assets, and promoting sustainable industry growth. This underscores the Agency’s sustained commitment to promoting transparency, safety, and quality service delivery in ship repair, dry-docking, and vessel construction within Nigeria,” Dr. Mobereola stated.
As a direct benefit of this accreditation, vessels to be built at these facilities will be assigned a Keel Identification Number (KIN) by the Agency’s Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department at the time of construction, in accordance with the “Certificate of Plan and Specification Approval”. This KIN will make such vessel eligible to obtain an IMO Number.
The verification and accreditation process is a continuous one, aimed at ensuring operational excellence across the nation’s maritime value chain. By maintaining an updated and transparent registry of accredited facilities, NIMASA seeks to enhance industry confidence, protect investments, and align local operations with global best practices.
A comprehensive list of the accredited shipyards is available in the link below on the NIMASA website. https://nimasa.gov.ng