Section 27: Registration and Regulation of Maritime Labour

(1) The Agency shall-
(a) register and maintain a register of every dock worker, seafarer, stevedoring company and seafarer employer, jetty, terminal operators and offshore platforms or terminals;
(b) provide training, conduct examinations and regulate the certification of seafarers and the conditions of service of dock workers and seafarers;
(c) ensure that dock workers and seafarer employers comply with existing regulations and standards in relation to crewing, wages, safety, welfare and training of dock workers and seafarers at ports and on board vessels; and
(d) upon notification, investigate disputes relating to the employment of dockworkers and seafarers.
(2) The Agency shall have the power to discipline, suspend, cancel or revoke the permit, approval, licence or certificates of dockworkers, seafarers and employers of maritime labour who contravene the provisions of this Act.
(3) A person who is not a registered dock worker or seafarer and engages in the performance of dock work in any port, terminal or offshore platforms or terminals in Nigeria or on board any Nigerian vessel in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of not less than N50,000.00 or to a maximum term of imprisonment of 6 months or both.
(4) An employer of dock workers or seafarers including shipping companies, stevedoring companies, jetty or terminal operators who engages a dockworker or seafarer who is not registered with and certified by the Agency, commits and offence and shall, in addition to any penalty provided in any other law, be liable to a fine of not less than N1, 000,000.00 for each person so employed.