The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has informed the public of a maritime collision that occurred on May 20, 2026, at approximately 1130 hours between the container vessel MV Maersk Valparaiso and the oil tanker MT Lady Martina at the Bonny Inner Anchorage.
The incident, which occurred at Latitude 4.512375 and Longitude 7.189429, resulted in an oil spill within the affected area. According to the agency, the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call shortly after the incident involving MV Maersk 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 aboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the collision. Five crew members aboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical treatment.
Following the collision, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel, while MV Maersk Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigation. NIMASA confirmed that the management of MAERSK officially reported the incident to the agency.
Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and remote causes of the collision. In addition, the agency has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor ongoing developments related to the incident.
Dr. Mobereola, who was personally in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room, also directed NIMASA’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the affected area. The Department has also been tasked with taking necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and safeguard the marine environment.
NIMASA stated that further updates, including the outcome of the investigation, will be communicated to the public as developments unfold.