The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has started automating the Nigerian Ship Registry to enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag and improve ship registration services. This move aims to attract greater participation in the global shipping industry. The automation will enable shipowners and maritime stakeholders to access registration services around the clock, reducing administrative delays associated with traditional paper-based processes.
NIMASA will host a two-part stakeholder webinar on October 6 and 8, 2026, to showcase the automation and allow industry players to interact with the new digital platform. The webinars will bring together shipowners, ship managers, maritime professionals, financial institutions, insurers, legal practitioners, classification societies, and other stakeholders who use or have interests in ship registration and related services.
The automated system is designed to streamline application and approval processes, facilitate faster issuance of electronic certificates, and improve the speed, transparency, and efficiency of transactions with the Nigerian Ship Registry. The platform will provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and other registry transactions, improving transparency and visibility for financial institutions and stakeholders involved in vessel financing.
The development is significant for shipowners and investors, as efficient ship registration and transparent mortgage administration are critical to vessel financing, ownership transactions, and the attractiveness of a national flag. NIMASA's Director-General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, stated that the automation is part of the Agency's efforts to transform the Nigerian flag and create an enabling environment for increased participation in international shipping.
Dr. Mobereola emphasized that the automation represents a significant step in providing efficient, transparent, and globally competitive services to shipowners and maritime stakeholders. The objective is to make the Nigerian flag more accessible, responsive, and attractive through technology-driven processes that meet international standards.
The new system will make interactions with the Nigerian Ship Registry more seamless for local and international shipowners while strengthening NIMASA's capacity to provide responsive and globally competitive flag-state services. The platform is currently undergoing user testing to validate its functionality, security, and user experience ahead of its official deployment.
The stakeholder webinars will enable participants to provide feedback and interact with the new digital platform, which is expected to improve the overall efficiency and transparency of ship registration services in Nigeria. This development is a significant step towards enhancing the country's maritime industry and attracting more investment in the sector.
Key points
- The automation of the Nigerian Ship Registry aims to improve the competitiveness of the Nigerian flag and attract greater participation in the global shipping industry.
- The new digital platform will provide secure, real-time tracking of ship mortgages and other registry transactions, improving transparency and visibility for financial institutions and stakeholders.
- The stakeholder webinars will enable participants to interact with the new digital platform and provide feedback ahead of its official deployment.
