Guide On How To Register A Vessel/Ship In Nigeria

Shipping in Nigeria is regulated by the Nigerian Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act, 2003 and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) is statutorily empowered with jurisdiction over the licensing and registration of ships and shipping companies in Nigeria. Ships are required to be registered in other to have national character to permit their movement in territorial or international waters

Parties that may register ships include:

• corporations in their own name;
• individuals;
• joint owners (not exceeding five persons); and
• other parties approved by the minister of transport.

Procedure for Vessel/Ship Registration

1. The owner of the Ship or their agents will submit a letter of application addressed to the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) indicating their interest in registering a ship in Nigeria;