The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has advised shipowners, operators and stakeholders to update their vessel documentations in accordance with the required laws.
The agency said all shipowners and operators are now required by law to update their vessel documentation, which  include all permits or exemptions, levies, record books and plan approvals.
Director General, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh, stated this in an interview with newsmen, recently. 
Jamoh said, “this is also a pre-condition for further processing of any vessel or company requests with the agency.
“NIMASA will mete out sanctions to operators who fail to comply with the relevant requirements.
“The new move is pursuant to the agency’s statutory mandate to implement all provisions applicable to marine environment protection and documentation as enshrined in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973; the Merchant Shipping Act, 2007; and the NIMASA Act 2007″.
The NIMASA boss added that the effective application of environmental protection regulations in the maritime domain was crucial to the country’s quest for economic development.
“The agency’s interest was in bringing relevant stakeholders on board to facilitate a sound and seamless certification and marine environment protection regime.
“We are deliberate, methodical, and strategic in the enforcement of the environmental protection requirements as they relate to our own laws and international regulations that we accede to.
“A well protected marine environment guarantees investors’ confidence, which is a basic necessity for the maximisation and optimisation of our rich maritime endowments. This touches directly on the country’s economic diversification and sustainable development drive”, he said.