Section 4 of The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025
- (1)Every application for the grant of a licence for coasting trade shall be made to the Director-General in such form, manner and on payment of such fee, as may be prescribed.
- (2)Before issuing a licence under this section, the Director-General shall take into consideration the following factors, namely:---
- (a)whether the applicant has previously held a licence that was cancelled;
- (b)whether the applicant has engaged in violation of any of the provisions of this Act prior to or during the period of pendency of his application;
- (c)citizenship of the crew;
- (d)build requirements of the vessel;
- (e)availability of vessels on the route;
- (f)licences granted to vessels for the same route;
- (g)safety, national and maritime security concerns;
- (h)equipment on board the vessel including communication equipment;
- (i)the Strategic Plan under section 8;
- (j)cost efficiency of transport;
- (k)validity of the certificates of vessel and crew;
- (l)validity of the certificate of insurance of the vessel; and
- (m)any other requirements as the Director-General may consider necessary in furtherance of the objectives of this Act.
- (3)A licence granted under this section shall be in such form, for such period and shall be subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed: Provided that the Director-General may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, specify such other conditions as may be necessary for grant of the licence.
- (4)The class or category of licence to be granted under this section shall be such as may be prescribed.
Summary
- To get a coasting trade licence, you must apply to the Director-General, follow the right format, and pay a fee.
- The Director-General looks at many things before saying yes, like if you have had a licence cancelled before or if you broke the law recently.
- Security is a big factor, including national security and the safety of the ship.
- The Director-General checks if there are already enough ships on that route and considers the National Strategic Plan from Section 8.
- They also check if the ship is built correctly, if the crew are citizens, and if all insurance and safety certificates are valid.
- The licence will specify how long it lasts and what special rules or conditions the ship must follow.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. What do I need to send with my application?
You must use the prescribed form and pay the required fee as set by the government.
2. Can I get a licence if my previous one was cancelled?
The Director-General will specifically consider your past record, including any cancelled licences, before deciding.
3. Does the government care about the crew on my ship?
Yes, Section 4 requires the Director-General to consider the citizenship of the crew as part of the approval process.
4. Is the cost of transport a factor?
Yes, the Director-General considers how efficient and cost-effective the transport will be.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 4 of The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, which of the following must the Director-General consider before issuing a licence?
Q2.According to Section 4 of The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, who has the power to specify conditions for the grant of a licence?
Q3.Under Section 4 of The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, what must the Director-General evaluate regarding the route of the vessel?
Q4.If an applicant for a licence under Section 4 of The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, has violated the Act while their application was pending, what happens?