The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), the agency responsible for scrutiny of transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria, said it has commenced an investigation into the collision between the Singapore-flagged container vessel MV Maersk Valparaiso and the Nigerian-flagged oil tanker MT Lady Martina, which occurred at Bonny Anchorage in Rivers State on May 20 2026.
The Bureau called the collision a Very Serious Marine Casualty, a formal classification for high-impact accidents defined by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) that either involves a total loss of the ship, loss of life, or severe damage to the environment.
Five crew members aboard the oil tanker were reported to have been moved to the FOB Bonny Sickbay for treatment after sustaining varying degrees of injuries from the incident that led to an oil spill in the area.
Read more: Five injured, oil spilled in vessel collision at Bonny Anchorage
In the initial phase of its investigation 2 days after the incident, NSIB said its ‘Go-Team’ boarded both vessels and interviewed the ship Masters and key crew members as evidence was collected. Operational records and navigational data relevant to the casualty were also secured and documented, the agency said. Related News Kwankwaso picks Gwarzo as Kano NDC governorship candidate, moves Gawuna to senate race Bola Tinubu: The man who took the bullet for Nigeria to survive Nigeria sliding back to Abacha era, but we will defeat them — Gbenga Hashim
