Section 22: Registration.

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other laws and subject to section 47 every vessel intended for use under this Act shall be duly registered by the Registrar of Ships in the Special Register for Vessels and Ship Owning Companies engaged in Cabotage and shall meet all the requirements for eligibility as set forth under this Act and the Merchant Shipping Act and its amendments to the extent that the said Merchant Shipping Act is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.
(2) A vessel intended for use in the domestic trade whether for coastal or inland waters shall obtain all the applicable licences and permits as shall from time to time be determined by the Minister and the relevant Agencies of the Government.
(3) In order to carry out its functions under this Act, the Minister shall on a continuous basis collect information and keep records in the Special Register concerning the availability, characteristics and uses of Nigerian vessels.
(4) The minister shall immediately after the commencement of this Act issue appropriate guidelines and criteria for the registration of bareboat chartered vessel in the Cabotage Register.
(5) Vessels eligible for registration under this Act include:
(a) passenger vessels ;
(b) crew boats ;
(c) bunkering vessels ;
(d) fishing trawlers ;
(e) barges ;
(f) off-shore service vessels ;
(g) tugs ;
(h) anchor handling tugs and supply vessels ;
(i) floating petroleum storage ;
(j) dredgers ;
(k) tankers ;
(l) carriers ; and
(m) any other craft or vessel used for carriage on, through or underwater of persons, property or any substance whatsoever.