The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has opened a full investigation into the collision between a container vessel and an oil tanker at the Bonny Inner Anchorage near Onne, Rivers State, and has activated a situation monitoring room to track the response.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at about 11:30 a.m., involving the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Maersk Valparaiso and the Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker MT Lady Martina. The collision resulted in an oil spill in the area and left five crew members injured.
According to NIMASA Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations Osagie Edward, the agency’s Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny received a distress call immediately after the incident. Ten armed personnel aboard interceptor boat DB 214 were deployed under the Deep Blue Project.
The five injured crew members from MT Lady Martina were evacuated to the Forward Operating Base sickbay in Bonny, where they received treatment for varying degrees of injuries.
NIMASA said the investigation will examine the circumstances leading to the collision, assess environmental impact, and determine measures to prevent a recurrence. The agency’s situation monitoring room has been opened to coordinate response efforts and maintain communication with relevant stakeholders.
The agency has not disclosed the extent of the oil spill or potential environmental damage but said cleanup and containment procedures were being carried out in line with established protocols.
NIMASA reiterated its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection in Nigerian waters, and urged operators to adhere strictly to navigational safety standards.
