•Opens up on why hammer fell on ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, both located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos for allegedly persistently violating safety codes. NIMASA said Thursday afternoon, July 17, 2025, that the action was in keeping with its role as the Designated Authority for implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Nigeria.

“The enforcement action follows persistent non-compliance by the facilities with the provisions of the ISPS Code, despite several formal warnings. The move aligns with global best practices and is in accordance with Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates the closure of any facility that remains in violation for over three calendar months,” Osagie Edward, FNIPR, Head, Public Relations at NIMASA, said in a statement.

Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasized the Agency’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime domain.

“In wielding the big stick, we acted only as a last resort,” he said. “Our primary goal is to enforce safety and security practices across Nigerian ports and jetties. At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannotafford lapses thatjeopardize our progress,” Dr. Mobereola said. He added that the facilities would be reopened once all compliance requirements are satisfactorily met, acknowledging their important role in service delivery and trade facilitation.

News Express reports that the ISPS Code, an amendment to the SOLAS Convention, was developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to enhance maritime and port security, particularly for facilities engaged in international trade.