NIMASA investigates causes of vessel collision in Rivers Stat

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has begun a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage, Rivers State.

In addition, NIMASA established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.

NIMASA Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, gave an order for the investigation following the official report by the management of MAERSK to NIMASA.

Mobereola was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room, also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area, while taking necessary steps to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

Mobereola informed that further updates and the outcome of the investigations will be communicated to the public as developments unfold.

According to NIMASA, on May 20, 2026, at about 1130 hours, a collision occurred between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage. The incident occurred around Latitude 4.512375 and Longitude 7.189429, resulting in an oil spill in the affected area.

The Deep Blue Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 1130 hours regarding the collision involving MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033. In response, the Base immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.

Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.

Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation.