Why NIMASA extends deadline for phase out of single-hull tankers

Recently, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) extended the phase-out deadline for all single-hull tankers operating on Nigerian waters by another five years, bringing the new phase-out date toDecember 31, 2020.

The decision, according to the agency, was in line with the provision of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), which allows member states that do not have the capacity to replace their existing single-hull tanker fleets to extend the phase-out date of certain categories of tankers in their countries, provided the vessels do not engage in international trade.

This is as over 80 percent of all the tanker vessels operating on Nigerian waters are currently within the single-hull category.

Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi, director-general, NIMASA, said in a statement signed by Isichei Osamgbi, deputy director/head, public relations of NIMASA, that the decision to extend the initial deadline was to sustain the development of the Nigerian maritime industry and enhance the gains of the Cabotage laws and the Local Content Act.

“Our decision to extend the final phase-out date for all single-hull tankers registered under the Nigerian flag administration to December 31, 2020 was to give more time for fleet replacement by Nigerian ship owners and also develop greater capacity to handle scrapping of vessels in the country,” he said.

Under the new arrangement, the NIMASA boss said all renewal certificates to be issued during the extension period will be for only two years, and such vessels must not be more than 35 years by the end of 2015. This is contrary to the existing five-year tenure for renewal of certificates, while registration of new single-hull tankers has ceased henceforth.

The statement further disclosed that all tankers that will benefit from this extension period must possess valid classification and statutory certificates, including a valid Condition Assessment Scheme certificate issued by NIMASA, and they are not permitted to engage in international trade as their certificate extension only covers trade within Nigerian waters.

It should also be noted that only Nigerian registered single-hull tankers are allowed to benefit from this extension. This implies that all foreign registered single-hull tankers are not allowed to trade in Nigerian waters with effect from May 1, 2015.

The agency will organise a maritime stakeholders’ forum to further clarify concerns on its directive on the phase-out schedule for single-hull tankers in Nigeria.

Recall that IMO had set an initial deadline of 2015 for the phase-out of single-hull tankers. However, the agency recognised the factors constraining Nigerian ship owners from replacing all the existing single-hull tanker fleet this year, which necessitated the extension.

UZOAMAKA ANAGOR