The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced a full investigation into the recent collision between a container vessel and an oil tanker at Bonny Anchorage in Rivers State.
The incident, which occurred on May 20, 2026, has been officially classified as a “Very Serious Marine Casualty”, prompting the agency to activate its emergency response procedures.
According to a statement released by NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs. Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, investigators were immediately deployed to Onne and Bonny to begin gathering evidence and assessing the circumstances surrounding the accident.
As part of the investigation, the team boarded both vessels involved in the collision, interviewed captains and crew members, and collected important operational records and navigation documents.
The Bureau also confirmed that critical data was successfully retrieved from the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) aboard the container vessel, MV Maersk Valparaiso. These records are expected to provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the collision.
NSIB further disclosed that it has formally notified Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), in line with international maritime regulations, while consultations with relevant local and foreign stakeholders are ongoing.
The agency stressed that the investigation would be carried out independently and professionally to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident.
Officials noted that the primary goal is not only to establish what happened but also to identify safety gaps and recommend measures that could help prevent similar accidents in the future.
While investigations continue, the NSIB has urged members of the public and stakeholders within the maritime sector to avoid speculation.
“It would be premature to draw conclusions at this stage,” the Bureau stated, adding that any urgent safety concerns discovered during the probe would be addressed through immediate recommendations.
The final report will be made available to the public once investigations are completed.
Source: NSIB
