The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos over persistent violations of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The action, according to NIMASA, follows several formal warnings issued to the terminal operators which were ignored, prompting the agency to enforce its mandate in line with global best practices and Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014). The section mandates the closure of any non-compliant facility for more than three calendar months.
NIMASA is Nigeria’s Designated Authority for implementing the ISPS Code, an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to bolster maritime and port security.
Commenting on the enforcement action, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the decision to shut down the facilities was made only after exhausting all other options.
“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort,” Mobereola stated. “Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardize our progress.”
He assured stakeholders that ShellPlux and TMDK terminals will be reopened once they meet all compliance requirements, noting that both facilities play important roles in service delivery and trade facilitation.
Dr. Mobereola also reaffirmed the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to ensuring sustainable trade facilitation in a safe and secure maritime environment.
The closure sends a strong message to other terminal operators about the importance of adhering to global maritime security standards.