The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), in its role as the Designated Authority for enforcing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria, has ordered the shutdown of ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals in the Ijegun-Egba axis of Lagos.
The action comes after the terminals’ prolonged failure to comply with ISPS Code requirements despite several formal warnings. In line with international best practices, the enforcement is backed by Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any non-compliant facility for over three calendar months.
Commenting on the decision, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and port infrastructure.
“Resorting to this action was a last option,” he explained. “Our primary mandate is to ensure strict adherence to safety and security protocols across all ports and jetties in Nigeria. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry imposed on Nigerian-bound vessels, any lapse in compliance could undermine our progress.”
Mobereola emphasized that the terminals would be reopened once they fully meet all compliance requirements, acknowledging their strategic importance to trade facilitation and service delivery.
He also underscored the unwavering support of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in advancing sustainable trade within a safe and secure maritime environment.
The ISPS Code — an amendment to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) — was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance the security of ships and port facilities, particularly those engaged in international trade.
