Onne Vessel Collision: NIMASA Launches Investigation, Opens Situation Monitoring Room as Five Injured 

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the collision involving container vessel, MV Maersk Valparaiso, and oil tanker, MT Lady Martina, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage in Rivers State.

According to a statement signed on Thursday 20 May 2026, by NIMASA’s Deputy Director/Head, Public Relations, Osagie Edward, the maritime incident, which occurred on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at about 11:30 a.m., resulted in an oil spill within the affected area and left five crew members injured.

The collision involved MV Maersk Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with IMO No. 9433054, and MT Lady Martna, a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO No. 5104033.

NIMASA informed that its Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny received a distress call immediately after the incident and swiftly deployed 10 armed personnel onboard interceptor boat DB 214 under the Deep Blue Project to the scene.

“The five injured crew members onboard MT Lady Martina were evacuated to the Forward Operating Base sickbay in Bonny, where they received medical attention for varying degrees of injuries. 

“Following the collision, MT Lady Martina reportedly drifted ashore and became grounded along the Bonny Channel, while MV Maersk Valparaiso also remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage pending damage assessment and further investigations.

“The management of Maersk has officially reported the incident to the Agency,” the statement partly reads.

Consequently, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, ordered a full investigation into the immediate and underlying causes of the collision.

As part of the emergency response measures, the Agency has established a Situation Monitoring Room to coordinate response efforts and closely track developments arising from the incident.

Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who was personally in Rivers State to inaugurate the facility, also directed the Agency’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment of the affected area.

“Necessary steps are being taken to contain the impact of the Tier 1 oil sheen and protect the marine environment.

“Further updates, including findings from the ongoing investigation, would be made available to the public as events unfold,” NIMASA assured.