Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency

What Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency does

NIMASA is Nigeria's apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency, established in 2007 through the merger of the National Maritime Authority and Joint Maritime Labour Industrial Council under the NIMASA Act 2007. Operating under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, it regulates maritime safety, security, labor conditions, cabotage, and marine environmental protection across Nigerian waters, serving shipping companies, indigenous shipowners, seafarers, dockworkers, terminal operators, stevedoring companies, guard force companies, and recognized organizations.

The agency runs an integrated digital service platform ecosystem including the CVFF Portal (a $25 million portal launched January 2026 to disburse the $700M Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund), the Electronic Certificate Verification System, Maritime Labour e-Platform (for MLC 2006 compliance), the National Single Window integration, Electronic Shipping Manifest Regulation system, e-Notification arrival/departure, the Seafarer Registration portal, and the E-Library Portal. Maritime security is anchored by the Deep Blue Project's C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) Center, which has produced four consecutive years of zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters and removal of War Risk Insurance Premium on Nigerian-bound vessels. The National Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System, developed with University College London, was positioned at COP 30 as a model for African maritime decarbonization.

Revenue is generated through statutory regulatory fees, tariffs, and levies across ship registration, tonnage measurement, PSC inspections, cabotage waivers, stevedoring charges, certifications, and licensing — published in a Schedule of Services and Fees. NIMASA also administers the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund, held at the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Single Treasury Account. Service delivery occurs through the Lagos headquarters, six zonal/branch offices across Nigeria (Port Harcourt, Warri, Calabar, Yenagoa, Abuja) plus the London Office at the Nigerian High Commission, port-level offices at all major Nigerian ports, and the digital self-serve portals listed above.

Name

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency

Legal name

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency

Website

https://nimasa.gov.ng

Company type

Public

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

NIMASA is Nigeria's apex maritime regulatory and promotional agency, regulating safety, security, cabotage, seafarer certification, and marine environmental protection through statutory fees, the Deep Blue Project's C4i Command Center, and multiple digital service portals serving shipowners, seafarers, dockworkers, terminal operators, and maritime service providers across Nigerian waters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Ship & Port Security Audits, Inspections & Certification (Flag/Class/PSC Support) (TLAHANAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime & Port Authorities (Public Ports, Harbors, Ferries Terminals) (BPAIALAF), Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD)

Keywords

• Maritime regulatory services
• Ship registration certification
• Seafarer training certification
• Maritime safety security
• Cabotage administration services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Regulatory Fees, Tariffs, and Levies: NIMASA generates revenue through statutory fees, tariffs, and levies imposed on maritime operators, including ship registration fees, tonnage measurement charges, PSC inspection fees, cabotage waiver fees, stevedoring charges, and various certification and licensing fees as codified in its Schedule of Services and Fees.
2. Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund Administration: NIMASA administers the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF), a fund established under section 42 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003. The fund is held at the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Single Treasury Account and is disbursed to indigenous shipowners for vessel acquisition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NIMASA is Nigeria's apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency, responsible for regulating maritime safety, security, labor, and environmental standards in Nigerian waters. It administers ship registration, ship survey and certification, tonnage measurement, port state control inspections, seafarer training and certification (including Certificates of Competency), cabotage administration, and the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund. The agency also operates maritime security infrastructure (the Deep Blue Project and C4i Command Center), marine environment management under MARPOL, and licensing of shipping companies, stevedoring companies, and guard force companies.

Product overview

NIMASA is the apex regulatory and promotional maritime agency of Nigeria, operating a multi-platform digital service ecosystem alongside traditional regulatory functions. The agency's core offerings include the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund Portal for indigenous shipping development, the Electronic Certificate Verification System for credential authentication, and the Maritime Labour e-Platform for seafarer registration and MLC 2006 compliance. Supporting infrastructure includes the Deep Blue Project's C4i Centre for maritime security, the Nigerian Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System for decarbonization, the Electronic Shipping Manifest Regulation system for port documentation, and skills acquisition centers across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. The agency also operates supplementary digital resources including the E-Library Portal, Voyage Magazine publication, and the National Single Window integration for cross-government documentation processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ship Registration Statutory registration of vessels under the Nigerian flag, available to shipowners and operators, governed by the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 and NIMASA Act 2007.
• Ship Survey and Certification Survey and certification of vessels to ensure compliance with international and Nigerian maritime safety standards, available to shipowners and operators.
• Tonnage Measurement Statutory measurement of vessel tonnage for regulatory and fee purposes, available to shipowners.
• Port State Control (PSC) Inspection Inspection of foreign vessels calling at Nigerian ports to ensure compliance with international maritime safety, security, and environmental standards.
• Seafarers Training and Certification Training, examination, and certification of Nigerian seafarers under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) framework, available to individual seafarers.
• Certificate of Competency (CoC) Issuance Issuance of Certificates of Competency to qualified Nigerian seafarers, certifying their ability to serve at various operational levels on board ships.
• Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF) Administration and Digital Portal Administration of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund established under section 42 of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003, enabling indigenous Nigerian shipowners to apply for and access financing for vessel acquisition through a dedicated digital portal.
• Electronic Certificate Verification System Online portal enabling employers, maritime authorities, and individuals to authenticate seafarer credentials, vessel documentation, and other regulatory certificates issued by NIMASA.
• Maritime Labour e-Platform Digital platform for registration of seafarers, seafarer employers, and management of maritime labour documentation and MLC 2006 compliance.
• Deep Blue Project (Maritime Security Infrastructure) Comprehensive maritime security initiative including the C4i (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) Centre for monitoring and coordinating maritime security operations, which has been instrumental in sustaining zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters.
• Shipping Company and Agent Registration/Licensing Registration and licensing of shipping companies, shipping agents, stevedoring companies, guard force companies, recognized security organizations (RSOs), and recognized organizations (ROs) operating in Nigeria's maritime sector.
• Dockworkers Registration and Employment Mandatory registration and employment regulation of dockworkers at Nigerian ports, including enforcement of minimum standards for dock labour and group life insurance coverage requirements for employers.
• Nigerian Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System National system for monitoring and tracking maritime emissions in Nigerian waters, developed with University College London, supporting green shipping transition and IMO decarbonization targets.
• Marine Pollution Prevention (MARPOL) Regulation Regulation and oversight of marine pollution prevention under MARPOL, including enforcement against ships operating in Nigerian waters.
• Electronic Shipping Manifest Regulation System Electronic system for processing shipping manifests and related documentation for vessels arriving in and departing from Nigerian ports, streamlining port clearance procedures.
• NIMASA Skills Acquisition Centers Skills training facilities located in Apapa and five other locations across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, designed to equip Nigerian youth with maritime skills for employment and industry development.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero piracy incidents in Nigerian waters for multiple consecutive years, enabling removal of War Risk Insurance Premium on Nigerian-bound vessels
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Tanzania Shipping Agencies Cooperation (TASAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025NIMASA and TASAC signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the IMO General Assembly in London, reaffirming commitment to advancing maritime surveillance, developing seafarer capacity, strengthening cabotage administration, and expanding the use of digital information systems. The MoU also outlines continuous knowledge sharing initiatives aimed at boosting operational effectiveness across both nations' maritime sectors.
• University College London (UCL)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with UCL research group to develop Nigeria's national maritime emissions inventory, which exposed critical data gaps and led to the creation of Nigeria's National Maritime Continuous Emissions Monitoring System. This system was presented at COP 30 as a pioneering PPP model for African maritime decarbonization. UCL and NIMASA continue to collaborate on advancing the IMO energy transition strategies through digital innovation.
• Liberia (Honorary Consul)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMASA Director-General Dayo Mobereola received Liberia's Honorary Consul in Lagos to discuss strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation and capacity building between the two nations. Liberia previously supported Nigeria's successful bid for a Category C seat at the IMO, with both countries committed to maintaining productive maritime relations. Enhanced collaboration aims to build maritime capacity, create employment opportunities for African youths, and advance the continent's Blue Economy agenda.
• Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNigeria and Abu Dhabi Ports Group signed an MOU on the sidelines of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week to explore strategic collaboration in ports development, maritime logistics, and digital solutions. The agreement, under consideration for over two decades, forms part of broader trade and investment engagements between the two countries and will support Nigeria's national shipping carrier initiative.
• DP WorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner secured by the Nigerian government to collaborate on the establishment of a new national shipping carrier. DP World joins AD Ports Group as a key international partner for this initiative, which is expected to transform Nigeria's maritime logistics sector.
• World Maritime University (WMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola announced partnerships with eight Nigerian universities and international institutions including the World Maritime University to strengthen maritime manpower development. The NIMASA-UNILAG Institute of Maritime Studies building was inaugurated as part of this capacity development initiative.
• DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenmark pledged its continued support for Nigeria's maritime sector development while seeking to explore new areas of economic partnerships. The Danish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Jens Ole Bach Jansen, made the disclosure during a meeting with NIMASA, signaling intent to deepen bilateral maritime ties.
• Association of African Maritime Administrations (AAMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMASA participates in the AAMA conference, which was established to enable African maritime administrations to build joint positions on issues of common concern. Nigeria hosted the 3rd AAMA conference in 2017. NIMASA DG advocated for innovative financing models and international support at the 7th AAMA conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNigeria's election to Category C of the IMO Council (2026-2027) positions NIMASA to contribute to shaping international shipping policies, maritime safety standards, and sustainable ocean governance. Nigeria is the nodal agency for IMO relations, hosting the IMO Secretary-General's visit and depositing six IMO Convention instruments of accession. The agency is also a member of the Abuja MoU for port state control.
• Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMASA operates under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, led by Minister Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola. The Ministry oversees NIMASA along with Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers' Council, National Inland Waterways Authority, and other maritime agencies. Minister Oyetola led Nigeria's IMO Council election campaign and signed performance bonds with agency heads.
• Nigeria Data Protection CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIMASA's privacy policy identifies the Nigeria Data Protection Commission as the supervisory authority for data protection compliance under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, with whom NIMASA commits to reporting data breaches within 72 hours of knowledge.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• South African Maritime Safety Authority: SAMSA is South Africa's apex maritime regulatory agency responsible for ship registration, seafarer certification, maritime safety, and marine environmental protection. It is the closest peer to NIMASA in scope and African geography, providing a direct comparison for regulatory effectiveness, cabotage regime management, and digital platform modernization.
• Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: TASAC is Tanzania's maritime regulatory counterpart and NIMASA's bilateral partner via a 2025 MoU. It performs ship registration, seafarer certification, port state control, and cabotage oversight in East Africa, making it a regionally comparable peer for regulatory structure and emerging-market maritime administration.
• Ghana Maritime Authority: The Ghana Maritime Authority regulates shipping, seafarer certification, and maritime safety in Ghana. As a West African peer of similar scale and regulatory breadth, it provides direct comparability for NIMASA on cabotage enforcement, PSC inspection, and Gulf of Guinea maritime security coordination.
• Liberian Maritime Authority: The Liberian Maritime Authority (LiMA) oversees the Liberian Ship Registry, one of the world's largest open registries. As a fellow African maritime administration with which NIMASA has bilateral cooperation (Honorary Consul discussions, mutual IMO support), it is a direct peer in flag state administration and regulatory diplomacy.
• Panama Maritime Authority: The Panama Maritime Authority administers the world's largest ship registry and provides flag state oversight, vessel registration, and maritime regulatory services. It is a direct peer to NIMASA's flag state administration function and serves as a benchmark for scaled maritime regulatory operations.

Broad incumbents

• Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK): The UK MCA is a mature, well-established maritime regulatory and coastguard agency overseeing UK shipping safety, seafarer standards, and maritime enforcement. As a broad incumbent with significantly more resources and headcount, it provides a developed-market benchmark for NIMASA's regulatory model.
• Australian Maritime Safety Authority: AMSA is Australia's federal maritime safety agency responsible for ship registration, seafarer certification, marine pollution prevention, and search and rescue. As a broad incumbent with mature digital platforms and environmental monitoring systems, it is comparable to NIMASA's full regulatory scope.
• Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore: MPA is Singapore's integrated maritime and port authority combining regulatory oversight with port operations. NIMASA's Director-General cited Singapore's framework as a model for a planned Nigerian Maritime Arbitration Centre, making MPA a relevant broad incumbent benchmark for institutional design and digital service delivery.
• Directorate General of Shipping (India): The Indian DG Shipping is the apex maritime regulatory authority overseeing ship registration, seafarer certification (India is a global seafarer supplier), and shipping development. Comparable to NIMASA on maritime labour scale and emerging-market capacity-building programs.

Others

• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global classification society and recognized organization providing ship classification, certification, and survey services. NIMASA works with classification societies as flag state, making Bureau Veritas an ecosystem participant and indirect partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nimasaofficial
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCEO-pnhgXcLBu5uTp2hUaxA
• Facebookfacebook.com/nimasaofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nigerian-maritime-administration-and-safety-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/nimasaofficial

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency