US Coast Guard Lifts 12-Year Entry Restriction on Nigerian-Bound Vessels

The United States Coast Guard has officially lifted the 12-year Condition of Entry (CoE) restriction imposed on vessels arriving in the United States after calling at Nigerian ports.

The restriction, originally introduced in June 2014, mandated that ships visiting designated Nigerian facilities undergo mandatory additional security screenings and heightened surveillance before entering US waters. The decision to remove the restriction follows four comprehensive security assessments conducted by the US Coast Guard between March 2024 and April 2026 to evaluate Nigeria’s compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

Key outcomes and benefits of the policy change include:

Improved Shipping Efficiency: The removal of mandatory extra security checks will streamline vessel turnaround times and enhance schedule reliability for commercial shipping lines.

Cost Reduction: Removing additional security protocols will lower operational overhead for vessels trading between Nigeria and the United States.

Enhanced Port Competitiveness: Compliance with international security benchmarks strengthens Nigeria’s position within the global maritime economy and international trade networks.

Sustained Security Compliance: Continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and maritime safety regulators ensured alignment with global security standards.

The lifting of the restriction marks a significant advancement for the nation’s maritime infrastructure, paving the way for increased international shipping traffic and reduced trade barriers.