Assessment of Regulatory Compliance Among Marine Logistics Companies Operating in the Lagos Free Trade Zone

Marine logistics operations within free trade zones are subject to both domestic maritime regulations and zone-specific operational frameworks, creating complex compliance obligations for service providers. This study assesses the regulatory compliance posture of marine logistics companies operating within the Lagos Free Trade Zone at Ibeju-Lekki, covering vessel operations, cargo handling, and environmental management. A professional survey methodology was adopted, with structured questionnaires administered to compliance officers and operations managers of fifteen companies, supplemented by review of annual compliance audit reports and NIMASA inspection records. Compliance dimensions assessed include SOLAS vessel certification, MARPOL pollution prevention, International Ship Management Code adoption, and port facility security requirements. Findings indicate that internationally affiliated logistics companies within the zone demonstrate substantially higher compliance levels than domestically owned counterparts, with the latter showing notable deficiencies in safety management system documentation and environmental incident reporting. The zone's regulatory oversight structure is found to be fragmented, with jurisdictional overlap between NIMASA, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, and the Nigerian Ports Authority creating enforcement ambiguities. Recommendations include development of an integrated zone-specific maritime compliance framework, capacity building for compliance officers of domestic logistics firms, and appointment of a joint regulatory liaison officer for the zone. Findings offer practical guidance for regulatory managers and port policy professionals in the South West geopolitical zone. Keywords: regulatory compliance, marine logistics, Lagos Free Trade Zone, NIMASA, safety management