04 May 2013, Lagos – Nigerian Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, have sailed off the operation of the Nigerian Liquefied Nature Gas, NLNG, over non-compliance to payment of levies on its gross export tonnage.
The NIMASA operation has effectively stopped all form of loading of products at the Bonny terminal of NLNG by using the Globalwest System to block vessels from entering or leaving the facility.
A statement released yesterday and signed by the Acting Director in charge of Shipping Development, Capt. Warride Enesuoh, read in part that the apex maritime agency “using Globalwest Vessel Specialist platforms blocked off access to the Bonny Channel, from the fareway bouy, at the beginning of the Channel, to bouys 17 and 18. By this blockade, all NLNG vessels that are operating within the area are neither permitted to enter nor leave the area until all statutory obligations are met.
“This course of action has been forced on the Agency by NLNG’s disregard and unwillingness to abide by the country’s maritime laws, especially the section of the NIMASA Act that mandates payment of levies based on the gross tonnage on exports and imports and the Cabotage law.
“While NLNG is one of the crown jewel of the nation’s hydrocarbon industry, the habitual violation and the utter contempt for our laws, is unbecoming of a company of its status.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, this action is carefully planned to avoid loss of lives and damage to property. This current blockade is limited to NLNG vessels and vessels lifting gas on its behalf.”
