The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has officially confirmed a significant oil spill in the Bonny Channel area of Rivers State. This incident was the result of a collision between two vessels, MV Valparaiso and MT Lady Martina, which occurred around Latitude 4.512375 and Longitude 7.189429. The collision led to immediate oil pollution within the marine corridor, prompting an urgent response from the agency.

According to Osagie Edward, NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, a distress alert was received at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base in Bonny. The vessels involved were identified as MV Valparaiso, a Singapore-flagged container ship (IMO Number 9433054), and MT Lady Martina, a Nigerian-flagged tanker transporting petroleum products. In response, the Deep Blue Base rapidly deployed 10 armed operatives aboard interceptor boat DB 214 to the scene to manage the emergency operations.

The collision resulted in injuries to five crew members onboard MT Lady Martina, who sustained varying degrees of harm. These injured individuals were promptly evacuated to the sickbay at the Forward Operating Base in Bonny, where they received immediate medical attention. Following the incident, MT Lady Martina drifted ashore and is currently aground along the Bonny Channel. Similarly, MV Valparaiso remains grounded at the Bonny Inner Anchorage, awaiting damage assessment and further investigation into the collision.

Shipping company MAERSK has formally notified NIMASA about the incident. In light of the severity of the situation, NIMASA’s Director-General, Dayo Mobereola, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to ascertain both the immediate and underlying causes of the collision. To coordinate the emergency response activities and monitor ongoing developments, the agency has activated a dedicated Situation Monitoring Room. Director-General Mobereola personally visited Rivers State to inaugurate this monitoring room and oversee the ongoing response efforts.

Furthermore, Mobereola has directed NIMASA’s Marine Environment Management Department to immediately commence an Environmental Impact Assessment of the affected area. He has also urged relevant officials to take swift and decisive steps to contain the Tier One oil sheen and minimize any further damage to the precious marine environment, emphasizing the urgency of protecting the ecosystem.