The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has shut down two petroleum products depots, ShellPlux and TMDK Terminals, located in the Ijegun-Egba area of Lagos, citing persistent violations of international port security standards.
The agency said both facilities had repeatedly failed to comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, a global maritime safety protocol developed by the International Maritime Organisation under the SOLAS Convention. NIMASA, Nigeria’s designated authority for enforcing the code, said it took action only after issuing multiple formal warnings.
“We acted only as a last resort,” said Dayo Mobereola, NIMASA’s director general. “At a time when we are collaborating with the United States Coast Guard to lift the conditions of entry on vessels from Nigeria, we cannot afford lapses that jeopardise our progress.”
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The shutdown was enforced under Section 79(f) of the ISPS Code Implementation Regulations (2014), which mandates closure of any non-compliant port facility after three months of sustained violation.
TMDK Terminals, one of the affected depots, has rejected the claims, describing the action as a mischaracterisation of its compliance status. In a statement on Thursday, the company said it had never deliberately disregarded security directives and had made substantial upgrades in recent months, including the installation of new access control and surveillance systems.
“Contrary to the impression created, TMDK has never at any time deliberately disregarded compliance directives or security protocols,” it said. The company added that it had been in constructive engagement with NIMASA over several months and was preparing to invite the agency for a re-inspection before the shutdown was enforced.
“It is disheartening that enforcement was initiated before this re-inspection could be carried out,” it added, urging NIMASA to conduct a reassessment and lift the shutdown.
TMDK also challenged NIMASA’s claim that the three-month window for compliance had expired, insisting it had not been formally notified that it was at risk of closure under the law.
Read also; NIMASA shuts down petroleum products depots over security violations
The facility warned that its continued closure could disrupt cargo flow and regional fuel distribution. “Our terminal handles critical cargo for domestic and regional markets, and the continued closure has far-reaching implications on supply chain efficiency and trade facilitation,” it said.
ShellPlux, the second depot shut by the agency, is yet to respond to the development.
Both depots play a key role in Nigeria’s downstream oil supply chain, managing bulk storage and distribution of petrol, diesel, and other white products through retail and wholesale networks. NIMASA said operations will remain suspended until full compliance with the ISPS Code is achieved.
