5 injured as Nigerian oil tanker, Singaporean vessel collide in Onne

Agency Report

Two vessels, a Singapore-flagged container vessel with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) registered number 9433054, MV Valparaiso, and a Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker with IMO number 5104033 MT Lady Martina on Wednesday collided at the Bonny Inner Anchorage in River state resulting in injuries and spillage of oil into the water.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) disclosed that the incident occurred at about 11:30 hours at Latitude 4.512375 and Longitude 7.189429.

Investigation revealed that 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.

According to NIMASA, the Deep Blue Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Bonny received a distress call at approximately 11:30 hours regarding the collision and immediately deployed 10 armed personnel onboard DB 214, one of the interceptor boats under the Deep Blue Project, to the scene of the incident.

While the management of MAERSK is said to have officially reported the incident to the agency, 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.

The agency’s Deputy Director and head of public relations, Osagie Edward explained that Dr. Mobereola who was personally on ground in Rivers State to inaugurate the situation room has 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.