By Seun Ibiyemi
Nigeria’s improved maritime security has received fresh international recognition following the decision by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to lift the 12-year Condition of Entry (COE) imposed on vessels originating from Nigerian ports.
International shipping companies operating in Nigeria described the decision as evidence of significant progress in the country’s maritime security environment and a boost to confidence in Nigerian ports.
The restriction, which applied to vessels that had visited Nigerian ports within their last five port calls before proceeding to the United States, had subjected such vessels to enhanced security measures.
Its removal is now being viewed by shipping operators as a significant milestone that could improve Nigeria’s standing in global maritime trade.
The Nigeria Director of Ocean Network Express (ONE), Stefan Pedersen, said the lifting of the restriction demonstrated that years of efforts by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to improve maritime security were yielding results.
“Congratulations to Nigeria on the lifting of the Condition of Entry. It shows the work that NIMASA has been doing all these years has actually paid off,” Pedersen said.
Although ONE does not currently operate direct services between Nigeria and the United States, he said the removal of the restriction could make direct trade through Nigerian ports easier for shipping companies that maintain such services.
He added that removing restrictions generally improves trade opportunities.
Maersk Terminal Planning Lead, West Africa, Srijesh Subramanian, said the decision reflected growing confidence in Nigeria’s maritime security.
He described the development as a welcome move that could benefit both importers and exporters while giving shipping companies greater confidence to consider future expansion.
According to Subramanian, the US decision signals that Nigeria is increasingly being viewed as a safer maritime environment than it was when the restriction was imposed.
He urged Nigerian authorities to sustain the security gains that contributed to the removal of the COE.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) Managing Director, Ugo Opiah, said the development would have a positive effect on Nigeria’s international maritime image.
He said the lifting of the restriction demonstrated improvements in the country’s approach to maritime security and could strengthen Nigeria’s reputation among global shipping stakeholders.
Opiah noted that the development was particularly significant because meeting US maritime requirements can influence how a country is perceived within the international shipping community.
READ ALSO: MAN seeks further rate cuts, cheaper credit after CBN’s 350bps MPR reduction
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) also linked the development to potential improvements in direct shipping connectivity between Nigeria and the US.
MSC Vessel and Terminal Coordinator, Adesina Omoparuwa, said the previous restriction had required the company to use trans-shipment arrangements for some cargo moving between Nigeria and the United States.
He said the removal of the restriction could create opportunities for more direct services and make it easier for businesses engaged in Nigeria-US trade to move cargo.
The removal of the COE brings an end to a 12-year regime of enhanced security requirements for vessels that had called at Nigerian ports before proceeding to the United States.
For Nigeria’s maritime authorities and industry stakeholders, the development represents a recognition of improvements in maritime security and an opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
The shipping lines said sustaining the gains in maritime security would be critical to maintaining international confidence and attracting further investment and shipping opportunities to Nigeria.
