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| DG NIMASA, Dr Ziakede Akpobolokemi |
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday said it had extended the phase-out date for
single hull tankers from the initial 2015 deadline to Dec. 31, 2020.
Safety Agency (NIMASA) on Tuesday said it had extended the phase-out date for
single hull tankers from the initial 2015 deadline to Dec. 31, 2020.
This is contained in a statement issued by
the agency’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr Isichei Osamgbi,
which was made available to newsmen in Lagos.
the agency’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Mr Isichei Osamgbi,
which was made available to newsmen in Lagos.
The agency said the decision for the extension
was in line with the provisions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
which allowed member-states without immediate capacity for such replacement to
do so at later dates.
was in line with the provisions of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
which allowed member-states without immediate capacity for such replacement to
do so at later dates.
It said the phase-out date affected certain
categories of tankers in some countries, provided such vessels did not engage
in international trade.
categories of tankers in some countries, provided such vessels did not engage
in international trade.
NIMASA noted that over 80 percent of
Nigerian tankers were currently single hull, but recognised the factors
constraining Nigerian ship owners from replacing all existing single hull
tanker fleet by 2015.
Nigerian tankers were currently single hull, but recognised the factors
constraining Nigerian ship owners from replacing all existing single hull
tanker fleet by 2015.
According to the statement, the
recognition of those challenges necessitated the extension.
recognition of those challenges necessitated the extension.
It said the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr
Ziakede Akpobolokemi, noted that the decision to extend the initial deadline
was to sustain the development of the nations’ maritime industry.
Ziakede Akpobolokemi, noted that the decision to extend the initial deadline
was to sustain the development of the nations’ maritime industry.
Akpobolokemi, in the statement, said the
initiative was meant to enhance the gains of the Cabotage Law and the Local Content
Act.
initiative was meant to enhance the gains of the Cabotage Law and the Local Content
Act.
“Our
decision to extend the final phase-out date for all single hull tankers
registered under the Nigerian flag administration to Dec. 31, 2020 was to give
more time for fleet replacement by Nigerian ship owners.
decision to extend the final phase-out date for all single hull tankers
registered under the Nigerian flag administration to Dec. 31, 2020 was to give
more time for fleet replacement by Nigerian ship owners.
“It is to also
develop greater capacity to handle scrapping of vessels in the country,’’
the statement quotes the director-general as saying.
develop greater capacity to handle scrapping of vessels in the country,’’
the statement quotes the director-general as saying.
According to the statement, under the new
arrangement, all renewal of certificates to be issued during the extension period will
be for only two years.
arrangement, all renewal of certificates to be issued during the extension period will
be for only two years.
NIMASA said this was contrary to the
existing five-year tenure for renewal of certificates, while registration of
new single hull tankers had ceased henceforth.
existing five-year tenure for renewal of certificates, while registration of
new single hull tankers had ceased henceforth.
It, however, said such vessels must not be
more than 35 years by the end of 2015.
more than 35 years by the end of 2015.
The statement said all tankers that would
benefit from the extension must possess valid classification and statutory
certificates, including a valid Condition Assessment Scheme certificate issued
by NIMASA.
benefit from the extension must possess valid classification and statutory
certificates, including a valid Condition Assessment Scheme certificate issued
by NIMASA.
It said such vessels were not permitted to
engage in international trade as their certificate extension only covered trade
within Nigerian waters.
engage in international trade as their certificate extension only covered trade
within Nigerian waters.
NIMASA said that only Nigerian-registered
single hull tankers were allowed to benefit from this extension.
single hull tankers were allowed to benefit from this extension.
According to the statement, all foreign-registered
single hull tankers are, therefore, not allowed to trade in Nigerian waters
with effect from May 1, 2015.
single hull tankers are, therefore, not allowed to trade in Nigerian waters
with effect from May 1, 2015.
It said the agency would organise a Maritime
Stakeholders’ Forum to further clarify concerns on its directive on the
phase-out schedule for single hull tankers in the country.
Stakeholders’ Forum to further clarify concerns on its directive on the
phase-out schedule for single hull tankers in the country.
