As the world grapples with best practices to contain the spread of the current coronavirus, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, said the agency has developed guidance to support ships that operate in the Nigerian maritime domain, including banning all vessels without thermal screening facilities from operating in Nigerian waters.
“These are trying times and we must pull through together that is why we have directed that all maritime stakeholders develop risk assessments and safety intervention guidelines for their personnel and operations on the areas of vulnerabilities of their maritime operations that can be affected by the COVID 19 pandemic including but not limited to offshore operations such as crew/personnel changes, visits from onshore and other locations for provision of supplies, maintenance and repairs etc” said D. Jamoh.
He also said that the agency plans to produce a publication to elaborate on the guidancem which also includes schedule for ongoing offshore operations.
Dr. Jamoh also said that only international marine vessel which had planned, and informed, of their call into a Nigerian Port not later than February 1, 2020 may be allowed to call on such port. Additionally, only international marine vessel having thermal screening facilities for passenger and crew may be allowed on the ports and that Shipping Agent/Master of Vessels must submit all documents related to crew and passengers regarding their travel to or from the COVID-19 affected countries.