Nigeria’s maritime safety regulator, NIMASA, says an oil spill has been reported in the Bonny Channel region of Rivers State after a collision between two vessels. The incident has led to visible petroleum pollution in the local shipping corridor, prompting an emergency response and an investigation into both the immediate circumstances and deeper contributing factors.
Key takeaways
- NIMASA confirmed oil pollution in the Bonny Channel area of Rivers State after a collision involving two ships.
- The agency traced the incident location to coordinates 4.512375 latitude and 7.189429 longitude.
- Five crew members aboard the tanker MT Lady Martina were injured and received medical treatment at the Bonny Forward Operating Base.
- Following the crash, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground, while MV Valparaiso remains grounded pending damage checks.
- NIMASA says it has launched an investigation and activated a Situation Monitoring Room, with an environmental impact assessment ordered.
Collision sparks alert and emergency response
NIMASA said the event occurred on Thursday in Lagos and was communicated to the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny after a distress signal came in at about 11:30 a.m. The regulator’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, said the alert concerned a collision in the Bonny Channel and that oil contamination was subsequently observed in the affected marine route.
Edward identified the vessels involved as MV Valparaiso, a container ship registered under the Singapore flag with IMO Number 9433054, and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged tanker carrying petroleum products. He added that the Deep Blue Base responded quickly by dispatching 10 armed personnel on interceptor boat DB 214 to the scene for emergency operations.
Injuries reported and vessels left aground
The NIMASA spokesperson stated that five crew members on MT Lady Martina suffered injuries of varying severity. He said the injured were taken to the sickbay at the Forward Operating Base in Bonny, where they were given immediate medical care.
Edward also reported the vessels’ post-collision status. He said that after the impact, MT Lady Martina drifted to shore and is now aground along the Bonny Channel. At the same time, MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage while assessments of damage are carried out and additional inquiries continue.
Edward further disclosed that the shipping company MAERSK had notified the agency about the incident. He said NIMASA’s Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, has directed a thorough probe into both the immediate triggers and the underlying causes of the collision.
Monitoring, investigation and environmental assessment ordered
To coordinate the response, NIMASA said it has activated a Situation Monitoring Room to manage emergency actions and track developments related to the spill. Mobereola was reported to have visited Rivers State personally to inaugurate the monitoring facility and oversee ongoing efforts on the ground.
In addition, the NIMASA boss instructed the Marine Environment Management Department to begin an Environmental Impact Assessment for the affected area. He also urged relevant officials to move swiftly to contain the Tier One oil sheen and reduce harm to the marine environment.
