A Singapore container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO and a Nigerian-flagged oil products tankeran oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, collided at the Bonny Inner Anchorage in Rivers State, causing vessel movement at Onne Port to a standstill.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) disclosed the situation, noting that on May 20, 2026, the collision occurred between the container vessel carrying an estimated 717 containers and an oil tanker at about 1130 hours.
NIMASA in a statement released in Thursday, said 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,” NIMASA stated.
According to NIMASA, five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.
The NIMASA stated that 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.
The management of MAERSK said it has officially reported the incident to the Agency. Consequently, the Director General of NIMASA, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a full investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the collision.
In addition, NIMASA has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and monitor developments arising from the incident.
Mobereola who 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.
NIMASA boss noted that further updates and the outcome of the investigations will be communicated to the public as developments unfold.