Splash247: US ends extra security measures on ships calling Nigeria

Published by Splash247

The US Coast Guard has removed Nigeria from its Port Security Advisory, ending 12 years of additional security requirements imposed on ships trading from Nigerian ports to the US.

The change takes effect today, August 19, according to a notice published in the US Federal Register, which formally removes Nigeria from the list of countries subject to Conditions of Entry.

The restrictions had been in place since June 25, 2014, and applied to vessels arriving in US waters after calling at designated Nigerian ports during any of their previous five port calls.

Ships caught by the rules faced additional security measures and scrutiny before entering the US, adding paperwork, inspections, delays and costs to voyages involving Nigeria.

The removal follows four assessments carried out by the US Coast Guard over the past two years, in March and April 2024, March 2025 and April this year.

Nigeria’s minister of marine and blue economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said the inspections demonstrated significant improvements in the country’s implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

The decision is an important commercial win for Nigeria as it tries to make its ports more competitive with rival West African gateways.

Oyetola said the extra US requirements had for more than a decade increased security costs, inspections, documentation and delays for ships using Nigerian ports, while also contributing to higher insurance burdens. Their removal should improve schedule reliability and lower some of the friction associated with US-bound cargoes.

The move comes amid a broader push by Abuja to improve maritime security and port efficiency, with the government attempting to win back cargo that has increasingly been contested by newer and expanded facilities elsewhere in West Africa.