The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has sealed off ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos for persistent violations of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The move was announced in a statement on Thursday by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, who said the decision followed repeated non-compliance by both facilities despite several warnings.
The ISPS Code, developed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) as an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention, mandates stringent security measures for ports and terminals involved in international trade. NIMASA, as Nigeria’s designated authority for ISPS enforcement, acted under Section 79(f) of the 2014 ISPS Code Implementation Regulations.
“This enforcement aligns with global best practices,” Edward noted, “and is in accordance with the regulation that mandates closure of any port facility remaining in violation for over three calendar months.”
Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized that the shutdown was a last-resort measure. “We are fully committed to maritime safety. While we recognise the importance of these terminals to trade facilitation, security cannot be compromised—especially as we work with the U.S. Coast Guard to lift conditions of entry imposed on Nigerian vessels,” he said.
Dr. Mobereola added that the terminals will be reopened once full compliance is achieved. He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to fostering a secure, sustainable environment for maritime trade.
