The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has begun a full probe into a ship collision involving container vessel MV Maersk Valparaiso and oil tanker MT Lady Martina at Bonny Anchorage, Rivers State.

According to a statement in Abuja on Friday by the NSSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe, the incident occurred on May 20, 2026. NSIB has classified it as a Very Serious Marine Casualty, its highest category for maritime accidents.

The statement noted that NSIB deployed a Go-Team to Onne and Bonny on May 22, two days after receiving notification of the collision.

The team boarded both vessels to collect evidence. Investigators interviewed the ship masters and key crew members. They also secured operational records and navigational data from both ships.

Technical data from MV Maersk Valparaiso’s Voyage Data Recorder and Electronic Chart Display and Information System have been downloaded. NSIB said the data will undergo “comprehensive forensic and navigational analysis.”

In line with International Maritime Organisation rules, NSIB has notified Singapore’s Transport Safety Investigation Bureau. Singapore is a “substantially interested State” because MV Maersk Valparaiso is Singapore-flagged.

The bureau said it has started working with local and international stakeholders on the investigation.

Adebayo-Arowojobe, said the probe will be handled with “professionalism, independence, and thoroughness”, saying, “the sole objective is to establish the causal and contributory factors of the occurrence and to promote enhanced maritime safety”

She also warned the public and stakeholders against speculation. “It would be premature to speculate on the probable causes at this stage,” she said.

She added that NSIB will issue immediate safety recommendations if any urgent risks are found during the probe.

The Final Investigation Report will be published once the investigation is complete, in line with national and international rules.

Bonny Anchorage is a key waiting area for vessels calling at the Bonny and Onne ports. It handles heavy traffic from oil tankers and container ships serving the Niger Delta.

No details were released on damage to the vessels, oil spills, or injuries. The NSIB did not state if the port was disrupted.