ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full-scale investigation into the collision between container vessel MV Maersk Valparaiso and oil tanker MT Lady Martina at Bonny Anchorage in Rivers State, describing the occurrence as a Very Serious Marine Casualty.
The incident occurred on May 20, 2026, prompting the Bureau to activate its marine occurrence response procedures and dispatch an investigative team to Onne and Bonny on May 22 to begin evidence preservation and preliminary inquiries.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at NSIB, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, investigators have already boarded both vessels and conducted interviews with the Masters and key crew members as part of the ongoing probe.
The Bureau said critical operational records and navigational data linked to the incident have been secured for analysis.
As part of the technical investigation, NSIB disclosed that data from the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) onboard MV Maersk Valparaiso have been successfully downloaded for comprehensive forensic and navigational assessment.
In line with international maritime investigation procedures, the Bureau has formally notified the Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) of Singapore, identifying it as a substantially interested state under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Casualty Investigation Code.
NSIB said it has also initiated collaborative engagement with relevant local and international stakeholders to support the investigation process.
The agency reassured the public, maritime operators, and the international maritime community that the investigation would be conducted independently and professionally, with the primary objective of determining the causal and contributory factors behind the collision.
“The sole objective is to establish the causal and contributory factors of the occurrence and to promote enhanced maritime safety,” the statement said.
The Bureau cautioned against speculation regarding the cause of the incident, stressing that investigations remain at an early stage and that any conclusions at this point would be premature.
According to NSIB, should urgent safety concerns emerge during the course of the investigation, immediate safety recommendations will be issued to prevent similar incidents and strengthen maritime safety standards.
The Bureau added that a final investigation report will be published upon completion of the process in accordance with national regulations and international obligations.
The collision at Bonny Anchorage has attracted significant attention within the maritime sector due to the strategic importance of the area to Nigeria’s oil and shipping operations. Findings from the investigation are expected to provide critical insights into navigational safety and operational procedures within the country’s maritime domain.
