NIMASA disowns VLCC Skipper intercepted by US

…says vessel has no Nigerian registry

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has distanced Nigeria from the VLCC SKIPPER, which was intercepted by the United States Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy over alleged involvement in crude oil theft and transnational crimes.

In a clarification issued by the Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Edward Osagie, the agency stated that the vessel is not Nigerian-flagged and that its alleged owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, have no registration records with NIMASA.

The agency explained that its response followed media reports suggesting that the 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier, with IMO Number 9304667, was Nigerian-owned. NIMASA described such claims as inaccurate and misleading.

According to the agency, a review conducted through its Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre showed that the vessel exited Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024, after which it continued its regular international trading activities.

NIMASA added that the vessel was later tracked in the Arabian Sea and subsequently in the Caribbean, where U.S. authorities eventually carried out the interdiction operation.

Further records assessed by the agency indicated that the vessel, formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, had undergone several name changes over the years, contributing to earlier confusion over its ownership.

Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to maritime security, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, said the agency remains focused on collaborating with local and international partners to ensure transparency and accountability in ongoing investigations.

“We are collaborating with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. authorities, in the ongoing investigations. Criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters,” Mobereola said.

NIMASA reiterated that Nigeria’s maritime registry remains intact and transparent, and urged the public to rely on verified information regarding vessel ownership and the country’s flag administration.