Joyce Mmereole Okoli
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has accredited 27 registered shipyards across the country in a move aimed at strengthening safety, transparency, and operational standards in the nation’s maritime industry.
The accreditation exercise, carried out in line with Section 22 of the NIMASA Act, 2007 and Sections 335–339 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007, empowers the Agency to regulate, license, inspect, and enforce standards for shipyard operations nationwide.
According to the list released in Lagos, 10 of the accredited facilities are located in Lagos State, 8 in Rivers State, and 9 in Delta State. These shipyards, the Agency said, are the only ones that have so far met its stringent regulatory, safety, and operational requirements.
Speaking on the development, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the accreditation process is part of the Agency’s broader initiative to promote safety and efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime space.
“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,” Dr. Mobereola stated.
He noted that the move underscores NIMASA’s commitment to transparency, safety, and quality service delivery in ship repair, dry-docking, and vessel construction across the country.
As part of the benefits, vessels built at any of the accredited shipyards will now be assigned a Keel Identification Number (KIN) by the Agency’s Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department at the point of construction.
The KIN, issued alongside a “Certificate of Plan and Specification Approval,” will qualify such vessels for an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number, further integrating Nigerian-built ships into the global maritime registry.
NIMASA emphasized that the verification and accreditation process will be continuous to ensure sustained compliance and operational excellence.
By maintaining an updated and transparent register of accredited facilities, the Agency aims to enhance industry confidence, protect investments, and align local maritime operations with global best practices.