The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Eastern zone has arrested a Liberian flag ship, at the Federal Lighter Terminals (FLT), Onne in Rivers state for what insiders it called “abuse of Cabotage Act.”
The Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in the Eastern zone has arrested a Liberian flag ship, at the Federal Lighter Terminals (FLT), Onne in Rivers state for what insiders it called “abuse of Cabotage Act.”
The arrest of the Liberian flag vessel at the FLT Onne was reportedly by the eagle- eyed members of the recently- inaugurated ‘Task Force”. The task force was constituted to ensure that all vessels operating at the Nigerian waters, particularly in the Eastern zone, comply fully with the appropriate laws, especially the Cabotage Act.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent in Port Harcourt learnt that the Liberian vessel, whose identity could not be ascertained as at press time, flies the Liberian flag and it is owned by a firm identified as Brilliant Offshore Limited of Liberia.
Some of the operatives of NIMASA at the Port Harcourt area, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed that as at the time of the arrest of the vessel, it has no registration to carry out Cabotage operations in Nigeria.
They said contrary to the Cabotage Acts of 2003, the vessel had no waiver as it was crewed and manned totally by foreign nationals. “Brilliant Offshore Limited of Liberia was also trading without payment of our charges, so we clamp down on the vessel”, one of the members said.
Meanwhile a source said that the vessel has sailed back after a prolonged negotiation with the owners of the vessel. “They promised to meet all our requirements, so we have let them go”, the Leader of the Task Force told Shipping Position Daily in Port Harcourt.
However, we were unable to ascertain if the vessel owners had met the release conditions given to it by NIMASA
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