The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has retained the revised Offshore Cargo Handling and Operations Stevedoring rates contained in the Second Schedule of the NIMASA Stevedoring Regulations 2014.
The renewal of the rates, which had been reviewed downward for a period of six months, is part of the agency’s sustained efforts to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on operators in the maritime industry.
The reviewed stevedoring rates apply to dry bulk cargo, liquid bulk cargo, onshore stevedoring, and offshore royalty.
Commenting on the renewal of the revised rates, the NIMASA Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the fiscal measure was in line with the agency’s determination to make the best of a bad situation occasioned by the pandemic.
Jamoh said: “The idea is to make this unpleasant pandemic moment as friendly as possible to both businesses and the economy, in general. We are aware of the adverse effect of COVID-19 on business globally, how it has distorted business plans and skyrocketed costs in various sectors, particularly, the petroleum industry.
“In NIMASA, we have a strategic plan to make the best of the bad situation, which we have continued to implement”, the NIMASA boss added.
The agency’s regulatory powers under the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Stevedoring Regulations 2014 allow it to review fees, levies, and charges stipulated in the regulations and issue directives accordingly.
