A container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, collided at the Bonny Inner Anchorage, resulting in an oil spill in the affected area.
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 MV Valparaiso is a Singapore-flagged container vessel while MT Lady Martina is a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker.
The Anchorage is located on the Bonny River just south of Port Harcourt and near the Onne Port area in Rivers State, Nigeria, in the eastern waters of the Gulf of Guinea. It is a designated maritime holding zone for large vessels, container ships, and oil tankers waiting to berth, conduct ship-to-ship transfers, or proceed up the river to terminals like the NLNG facility and the Onne Port.
According to a statement by NIMASA Spokeperson, Osagie Edward, the collision and resulting oil spill on occurred on May 20, 2026, at about 1130 hours.
The full statement by NIMASA reads: “The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) wishes to inform the public that on May 20, 2026, at about 1130 hours, a collision occurred between a container vessel, MV MAERSK VALPARAISO, and an oil tanker, MT LADY MARTINA, at the Bonny Inner Anchorage. 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.
“Five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina sustained varying degrees of injuries and were promptly evacuated to the FOB Bonny sickbay for medical attention.
“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 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.
“Dr. 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.
“Further updates and the outcome of the investigations will be communicated to the public as developments unfold.”
