United States (US) Coast Guard officially lifted its 12-year-old Condition of Entry on vessels arriving from Nigeria, removing burdensome security restrictions that had impacted Nigerian shipping since 2014.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, announced the development on Tuesday August 18, according to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
This milestone coincides with expanding maritime tonnage managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority and stringent monitoring of illegal bunkering by the Nigerian Navy.
The restriction required vessels that had called at Nigerian ports within their previous five port calls to undergo additional security measures and enhanced inspections before entering US waters.
Oyetola said the decision was an indication of the progress Nigeria had made in improving maritime security and implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“It is a strong affirmation of the progress we have made in strengthening maritime security and implementing the ISPS Code across our ports and facilities,” he said.
The ISPS Code is an international maritime security framework designed to protect ships and port facilities from threats, including terrorism, sabotage and unauthorised access.
NIMASA became Nigeria’s designated authority for implementing the code in 2013 after a US Coast Guard assessment identified significant security and compliance gaps at Nigerian ports.
The lifting of the Condition of Entry (CoE) is expected to reduce additional inspections, documentation and security requirements for vessels that have called at Nigerian ports.
The development is also expected to improve vessel turnaround time, reduce entry-related delays and lower operating costs for shipping companies.
Oyetola said the removal of the restriction could make Nigerian ports more attractive to international shipping lines, increase shipping activity and boost trade, investment, employment and port revenues.
The minister commended NIMASA, port and terminal operators, facility operators and shipping companies for their role in improving Nigeria’s maritime security standards.
He said the government would continue to strengthen maritime security to ensure that Nigeria remains a safe and competitive destination for international shipping.
