The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has held strategic talks with the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen of the Malta Ship Registry, Mr. Ivan Tabone, aimed at strengthening cooperation to modernise Nigeria’s Ship Registry through knowledge sharing and capacity building.
The engagement took place on the sidelines of Posidonia 2026, a major maritime exhibition held in Athens, Greece, where both parties explored areas of collaboration to improve ship registration processes, regulatory efficiency, digital transformation, and institutional best practices.
The discussions centred on technical cooperation that could help enhance the competitiveness of the Nigerian Ship Registry and position it to meet evolving global maritime standards.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Mobereola reiterated NIMASA’s commitment to fully automating the Nigerian Ship Registry in line with international best practices. He explained that ongoing reforms are designed to improve operational efficiency, encourage indigenous vessel registrations, boost investor confidence, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading maritime hub in Africa.
According to him, the agency is focused on building a transparent and technology-driven registry that will support the growth of the nation’s maritime sector while aligning with the vision of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the leadership of Adegboyega Oyetola.
The Malta Ship Registry is recognised as one of the most successful ship registries globally. It is the largest merchant shipping register in Europe and ranks among the top six worldwide by gross tonnage. With more than 9,500 vessels flying its flag, the registry is known for its efficient administration, robust legal framework, and strict compliance with international maritime standards.
The partnership is expected to provide valuable insights and expertise that could accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s Ship Registry and strengthen the country’s maritime competitiveness on the global stage.
