NIMASA Confirms Oil Spill After Vessel Collision, Five Injured

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has confirmed an oil spill in the Bonny Channel, Rivers State, after a collision between two vessels.

The incident took place at approximately Latitude 4.512375 and Longitude 7.189429, causing oil pollution in the affected marine corridor.

NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, announced the event in a statement released Thursday in Lagos.

Edward said the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny received a distress alert around 11:30 a.m. concerning the collision. He identified the vessels as MV Valparaiso, a Singapore‑flagged container ship (IMO 9433054), and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian‑flagged tanker carrying petroleum products.

The Deep Blue Base dispatched 10 armed operatives aboard interceptor boat DB 214 to the scene for emergency response. Five crew members aboard MT Lady Martina suffered varying degrees of injury. The wounded were taken to the sickbay at the Forward Operating Base in Bonny for immediate medical care.

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

Edward added that the shipping company Maersk had formally notified NIMASA of the incident. He reported that Director‑General Dayo Mobereola had ordered a thorough investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the collision.

According to Mobereola, NIMASA has activated a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate emergency response activities and track developments related to the incident. He also visited Rivers State personally to inaugurate the monitoring room and oversee ongoing response efforts.

The NIMASA chief directed the agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to begin an Environmental Impact Assessment of the affected area immediately. He urged relevant officials to take urgent steps to contain the Tier One oil sheen and minimize damage to the marine environment.