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Six specialist maritime service lines delivered with local precision and international standards covering all major Nigerian ports and oil & gas terminals.

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Ship Agency

Full port agency services managing every stage of a vessel's Nigerian port call — from pre-arrival coordination through to post-departure reporting.

Overview

Your Representative at Every Nigerian Port

Sombreiro Shipping acts as the appointed agent for ship owners, operators, and charterers calling at Nigerian ports, managing all port formalities, regulatory requirements, and operational coordination on their behalf.

With direct relationships with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), NIMASA, Nigerian Customs Service, and terminal operators across the Niger Delta and beyond, we ensure your vessel is handled efficiently, compliantly, and without unnecessary delays.

What We Cover

Full Agency Scope

  • Pre-arrival notification and clearance coordination with NPA and port authorities
  • Berth booking and scheduling with terminal operators
  • Customs clearance and documentation filing
  • NIMASA compliance and vessel registration support
  • Cargo coordination with shippers, receivers, and stevedores
  • Crew documentation, immigration, and sign-on/sign-off support
  • Disbursement account management with full transparency
  • Post-departure reporting and Statement of Facts (SOF)
How It Works

The Port Call Process

1

Pre-Arrival

We receive vessel details, notify all relevant port authorities, file pre-arrival documentation, arrange berth, and brief the master on port requirements.

2

Arrival & Boarding

Our agent boards the vessel on arrival, coordinates inward clearance with customs and immigration, and ensures a smooth induction into port.

3

In-Port Operations

We manage all cargo operations coordination, crew welfare requirements, vessel supplies, and any regulatory interactions during the port stay.

4

Departure & Reporting

Outward customs clearance, departure documentation, and a full Statement of Facts and disbursement account delivered to the principal.

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Husbandry Services

Comprehensive vessel husbandry support for ships at anchor, at berth, or in outer anchorage across all Nigerian ports — available around the clock.

Overview

End-to-End Vessel Support

Husbandry services cover all the practical requirements of a vessel in Nigerian waters beyond the core agency function — from crew welfare to technical support, provisions, and spare parts delivery. Sombreiro Shipping coordinates all these services through a single, reliable point of contact.

Our team operates 24/7, with the ability to mobilise quickly to vessels at anchor or outer anchorage — a critical capability given the operational realities of Nigerian port approaches.

Services Provided

Full Husbandry Scope

  • Crew changes — sign-on and sign-off coordination, immigration and embarkation/disembarkation
  • Medical assistance and evacuation coordination for crew emergencies
  • Vessel provisions, water, and fresh stores supply
  • Bonded stores and ship chandlering
  • Spare parts and technical equipment delivery
  • Launch services to vessels at anchorage
  • Cash to master disbursements
  • Mail and courier handling
  • Technical superintendents and surveyors boarding facilitation
Why It Matters

Nigerian Waters Require a Specialist

Husbandry operations in Nigerian ports and anchorages present unique logistical challenges — from security considerations at outer anchorages to customs procedures for bonded stores and crew immigration requirements. Our team has the local experience to navigate these realities quickly and efficiently, reducing vessel waiting time and protecting crew welfare.

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Ship Protective Agency

Independent on-site representation protecting the interests of ship owners, P&I clubs, underwriters, and cargo interests at Nigerian ports.

Overview

Independent Representation at Nigerian Ports

When a vessel calls at a Nigerian port under a third-party appointment, the ship owner's or P&I club's interests may not be adequately represented. Sombreiro Shipping provides protective agency services — acting as an independent, on-the-ground representative solely serving the interests of the appointing principal.

Our protective agents attend cargo operations, note protests, supervise condition surveys, monitor stevedore performance, and report directly to the principal — providing a crucial independent check on all port activities.

Services Provided

Protective Agency Scope

  • Independent monitoring of cargo loading and discharge operations
  • Cargo condition surveys and damage surveys at point of delivery
  • Noting protests and issuing Letters of Protest on behalf of the master
  • Supervision of tallymen and stevedore operations
  • Pre-loading and pre-discharge condition documentation
  • Bill of Lading verification and cargo documentation review
  • Liaison with local P&I correspondents and surveyors
  • Real-time reporting to ship owners, P&I clubs, and underwriters
Who Appoints Us

Principals We Serve

We accept appointments from ship owners, P&I clubs and their correspondents, hull and machinery underwriters, cargo underwriters, charterers, and any party with a legitimate interest in cargo or vessel operations at a Nigerian port.

All protective agency appointments are handled with strict confidentiality, and our reports are provided in the format required by the appointing principal.

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Ship Spares Logistics

Time-critical procurement, customs clearance, and delivery of ship spares and technical equipment to vessels anywhere in Nigerian waters.

Overview

When Every Hour Counts

A vessel awaiting a critical spare part in Nigerian waters loses time and money with every passing hour. Sombreiro Shipping provides specialist ship spares logistics — handling the complex Nigerian customs environment quickly and efficiently to get parts aboard the vessel with minimum delay.

Our team has extensive experience clearing spares through Nigerian Customs, working with NAFDAC, SON, and other regulatory bodies where applicable, and coordinating last-mile delivery by launch to vessels at anchorage.

Services Provided

Spares Logistics Scope

  • Airport collection and customs clearance of airfreighted spares
  • Seaport clearance of spares shipped by sea freight
  • Temporary importation permits for high-value items
  • Nigerian Customs classification and tariff management
  • Bonded storage and re-export documentation
  • Last-mile delivery by road to port or by launch to anchorage
  • Emergency 24/7 spares mobilisation
  • Coordination with technical superintendents and classification surveyors
Local Knowledge

Navigating Nigerian Customs

Ship spares clearance in Nigeria requires specialist knowledge of Customs procedures, duty exemptions available under shipping regulations, and the documentation requirements of different port entry points. Errors or delays at this stage can hold a vessel for days. Our team handles this process daily — reducing clearance time and protecting vessel operators from unnecessary demurrage exposure.

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Ship Management

Technical and crew management services for vessel owners seeking a reliable, locally-grounded management partner in Nigeria.

Overview

Professional Vessel Management

Sombreiro Shipping provides ship management services to vessel owners operating in Nigerian waters who require a trusted local manager to oversee technical operations, crew management, and regulatory compliance on their behalf.

Our management approach combines internationally recognised standards with deep knowledge of Nigerian maritime regulations, port practices, and the operational realities of vessels working in the Niger Delta and coastal trade.

Services Provided

Management Scope

  • Technical management — planned maintenance, dry docking, class surveys
  • Crew management — recruitment, deployment, payroll, and welfare
  • NIMASA compliance and Nigerian flag administration
  • Insurance procurement and claims management support
  • Procurement of provisions, lubricants, and deck/engine stores
  • Budget preparation and financial reporting to owners
  • ISM/ISPS code implementation and safety management
  • Port state control preparation and deficiency management
Our Approach

Owner-First Management

We operate as an extension of the vessel owner's team — not as a detached third party. All management decisions are made with full transparency and owner involvement. Our reporting is timely, detailed, and structured to give owners complete visibility of their vessel's technical and financial performance at all times.

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Cargo Documentation & Procurement

Expert handling of all cargo documentation, customs clearance, and procurement processes for import and export cargo at Nigerian ports.

Overview

Getting Cargo Moving — Correctly

Cargo documentation errors and customs delays are among the most common and costly problems affecting importers and exporters at Nigerian ports. Sombreiro Shipping provides specialist cargo documentation and procurement services ensuring all paperwork is accurate, compliant, and submitted on time to avoid unnecessary delays and penalties.

Our team is fully versed in Nigerian Customs procedures, the HS Code classification system, destination inspection requirements, and the documentation requirements of NPA, NAFDAC, SON, and other regulatory agencies.

Services Provided

Documentation & Procurement Scope

  • Bill of Lading preparation, review, and amendment coordination
  • Form M and Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) processing
  • Nigerian Customs (NCS) import and export clearance
  • HS Code classification and duty assessment advice
  • NAFDAC, SON, and other agency regulatory clearances
  • Destination inspection coordination
  • Letter of Credit documentation compliance
  • Procurement of cargo-related supplies and materials on behalf of clients
Compliance Focus

Zero-Error Documentation

In Nigerian port operations, documentation errors do not merely cause delays they can result in cargo detention, fines, and significant financial loss. Our team applies meticulous attention to every document, cross-checking against the cargo manifest, purchase order, and regulatory requirements before submission. We also advise clients proactively on regulatory changes that may affect their cargo operations.

Not Sure Which Service You Need?

Our team will assess your requirements and advise on the right service combination for your Nigerian port call.

Speak to Our Team →