In a dramatic enforcement move, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) yesterday sealed off ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals in the Ijegun‑Egba area of Lagos, citing “persistent non‑compliance” with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
This unprecedented shutdown underlines Nigeria’s struggle to align its ports with global security benchmarks, even as Lagos handles over half of the nation’s maritime trade and accommodates nearly 1,000 ship calls annually.
For a country aiming to shed US Coast Guard restrictions, the action threatens to stall critical efforts to restore full access for Nigerian‑flagged vessels.
According to NIMASA’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, the twin closures were authorised under Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which empowers the agency to close facilities that remain in breach for more than three consecutive months.
“Despite several formal warnings, the operators failed to rectify glaring security lapses,” Edward warned. His statement echoes the agency’s zero‑tolerance stance, deployed only after reportedly exhaustive consultations and inspections.
This clampdown is reminiscent of NIMASA’s 2016 operation, when Heyden Petroleum Jetty in Ijora and two other facilities were similarly shuttered for ISPS infractions, underscoring a recurring culture of non‑compliance despite regulatory reforms.
Yet, critics argue that enforcement remains sporadic, with many terminals routinely flouting safety drills, restricted‑area protocols and surveillance standards.
Such lapses not only jeopardise port security but tarnish Nigeria’s reputation in the high‑stakes arena of global shipping.
The timing could not be worse for maritime trade volumes. The Nigerian Ports Authority reported a 45.1% surge in cargo throughput in 2024—soaring from 71.2 million tonnes in 2023 to 103.3 million tonnes—driven by booming container and bulk traffic at key hubs such as Lekki and Tin Can Island.
With each day of closure potentially costing operators millions in demurrage and lost revenue, stakeholders fear a ripple effect, from disrupted supply chains to higher consumer prices.
NIMASA’s Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, defended the drastic step as a “last resort” to safeguard the maritime domain and facilitate sustainable trade.
“We acted only after exhaustive engagement,” he insisted, while pledging speedy reopening “once full compliance is demonstrated”.
However, as Nigeria courts closer ties with the USCG, industry insiders warn that recurrent security breaches could prolong restrictive port conditions and undermine investor confidence.
The ball now lies with terminal operators to overhaul security protocols—or face the “big stick” again.
