Cabotage Violations Brings Arrest and Fines

Federal High Court Upholds Arrests and Levies Fines.

Nigerian Court in Lagos upholds the arrest by the Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (ISAN) of six foreign vessels plying inter-commerce trade in its territorial waters, which is in violation of the country’s Coastal and Inland Shipping Act of 2003.

The MT LOVELL SEA was arrested in August 2009 for violations of the Nigerian Cabotage Act and the Federal High Court fined the vessels owners N10 million ($66,423) as damages to ISAN. Lovell Sea Carriers Incorporated and the ship master were accused of illegally transporting petroleum products illegally on Nigeria's coastal waters.

A spokesperson for ISAN said the ruling was a landmark judgment for Nigeria’s maritime administration. ISAN also stated that it has instituted measures to ensure that all vessels operating under protection of the Cabotage laws are in class and are in good shape to perform all forms of contract within the nation's coastal waters.