Vessel owners launch anti-piracy verification exercise

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

The Tugboat, Fuel Barges and Seagoing Vessel Association of Nigeria (TUBAVS) has unveiled a nationwide vessel verification and registration exercise aimed at supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to combat sea piracy, illegal oil bunkering and other maritime crimes.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, and signed by its Legal Adviser, Tonye D. Wilson, the association directed the immediate verification, registration and stricter regulation of all marine vessels and watercraft operating on Nigeria’s coastal and inland waterways.

TUBAVS said the exercise would run from 15 August to 30 November 2026 and would cover vessel operators nationwide.

Describing itself as the umbrella body for tugboat, fuel barge and seagoing vessel operators in Nigeria, the association said the initiative was designed to strengthen national efforts to curb illegal bunkering, maritime crime and other security threats on the country’s waterways.

According to the statement, the exercise will cover tankers, barges, tugboats, fishing vessels, workboats, houseboats, service boats, landing craft, patrol boats and vessels engaged in fuel transportation, storage and ship-to-ship operations.

Wilson said the directive had become necessary because of the increasing incidence of illegal bunkering and its consequences for national security, government revenue, maritime safety and environmental protection.

He added that the exercise aligns with the provisions of the Suppression of Piracy and Other Maritime Offences Act, 2019.

The association directed all affected operators to complete the registration and verification of their vessels within 90 days through its official registration channels.

It said vessel owners would be required to submit a Certificate of Registry or other proof of ownership, a Tonnage Certificate, a list of vessels owned by each company and valid operator licences issued by the relevant regulatory authorities.

The required licences include those issued by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and other statutory agencies.

According to TUBAVS, every successfully verified vessel will be assigned a Unique Vessel Identification Number (UVIN).

The association added that the UVIN and the vessel’s name must be prominently displayed on both the bow and stern in accordance with specifications issued by the association and applicable laws.

TUBAVS expressed confidence that the verification exercise would improve vessel identification, enhance regulatory compliance and strengthen collaboration with security agencies in safeguarding Nigeria’s waterways.