Overview
Nearly two decades after the Merchant Shipping Act 2007, Nigeria is moving towards a major legislative overhaul. On July 8, 2026, the House of Representatives passed the Merchant Shipping Act (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2026, proposing wide-ranging reforms across regulation, enforcement, vessel registration, seafarer protection, environmental compliance, and maritime liability.
Although the Bill has not yet received presidential assent, its potential impact warrants early attention. The proposed framework strengthens NIMASA's enforcement powers, introduces a more adaptable penalty regime, extends liability to directors and officers, and modernises the ship registration framework through the Nigerian International Ship Registry. It also domesticates the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and introduces new environmental requirements, including ballast water management.
This insight examines the Bill's key reforms, considers their practical implications for shipowners, operators, insurers, offshore asset owners, and other maritime stakeholders, and highlights measures businesses may need to take to prepare for the anticipated new legal regime.
