The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced an extensive investigation into the collision between the container ship MV Maersk Valparaiso and the oil tanker MT Lady Martina at Bonny Anchorage, Rivers State, describing the occurrence as a “Very Serious Marine Casualty” under international maritime safety classifications.
The marine accident, which occurred on 20 May 2026, has triggered a coordinated response from the Bureau as it seeks to establish the sequence of events that led to the collision, identify contributing factors and develop recommendations aimed at strengthening maritime safety in Nigerian waters.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the NSIB activated its marine casualty response mechanism immediately after receiving reports of the incident.
As part of the initial response, a team of specialised marine investigators was dispatched to Onne and Bonny on 22 May to begin field operations and gather critical evidence.
The deployment marked the beginning of what the Bureau described as a comprehensive and independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Investigators subsequently boarded both vessels involved in the collision, where they carried out extensive evidence collection exercises. These included interviews with the masters, bridge officers and other key crew members from both ships in a bid to obtain first-hand accounts of the events leading up to the incident.
The investigative team also collected operational logs, navigational records and other relevant documentation expected to assist in reconstructing the circumstances of the collision.
In a major development, the NSIB disclosed that it had successfully recovered information from the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) and the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) aboard MV Maersk Valparaiso.
The retrieved data is expected to play a central role in the investigation, providing investigators with crucial details relating to vessel movements, navigational decisions, communications and operational activities before the accident occurred.
Industry experts regard the VDR as one of the most important investigative tools in maritime accident inquiries, often likening it to the “black box” used in aviation.
The system captures a wide range of operational data that can help investigators reconstruct incidents with greater accuracy.
Similarly, the ECDIS provides digital navigation records that enable investigators to analyse vessel routes, positioning and navigational actions taken prior to an occurrence.
The Bureau stated that the inquiry is being conducted in strict compliance with international best practices and Nigeria’s obligations under global maritime safety conventions.
In line with the International Maritime Organisation’s Casualty Investigation Code, the NSIB has formally notified Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB), recognising the country as a substantially interested state in the occurrence.
The Bureau noted that collaboration with international partners is essential to ensuring a thorough and credible investigation.
It further revealed that engagement has commenced with a range of domestic and international stakeholders whose cooperation may be required during the course of the inquiry.
Reaffirming its commitment to impartiality, the NSIB stressed that the investigation is focused solely on determining the causes and contributing circumstances of the collision rather than apportioning blame or liability.
The Bureau explained that its objective is to identify lessons capable of enhancing maritime safety standards and preventing future occurrences within Nigeria’s busy shipping corridors.
It assured shipping companies, maritime operators, regulators and the wider public that all available evidence would be carefully examined and analysed before any conclusions are reached.
“The sole objective is to establish the causal and contributory factors of the occurrence and to promote enhanced maritime safety,” the agency stated.
The NSIB also cautioned against speculation regarding the cause of the collision, emphasising that investigations remain ongoing and that any premature conclusions could undermine the integrity of the process.
The Bureau indicated that should investigators uncover urgent safety concerns during the course of their work, immediate safety recommendations would be issued to relevant authorities and industry stakeholders to mitigate risks and prevent a recurrence.
Upon conclusion of the investigation, the NSIB said it would publish a Final Investigation Report detailing its findings, conclusions and safety recommendations in accordance with national regulations and international reporting requirements.
As Nigeria’s multimodal transport accident investigation agency, the NSIB is responsible for conducting independent safety investigations across the aviation, marine, rail and other transportation sectors.
Through these investigations, the Bureau seeks to improve safety performance, strengthen regulatory oversight and foster a culture of accident prevention throughout the nation’s transport system.
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