The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has dismissed reports linking Nigeria to a ship recently arrested by United States authorities over alleged crude oil theft.
NIMASA said the vessel, a Very Large Crude Carrier named Skipper, is not registered under the Nigerian flag and does not belong to any Nigerian shipping company.
The clarification followed reports claiming that the ship, with IMO Number 9304667, was Nigerian-owned and involved in transnational crimes.
In a statement on Friday, NIMASA’s Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, Osagie Edward, said checks by the agency showed no ownership or registration connection between the vessel and Nigeria.
“The attention of the Management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has been drawn to media reports stating that the United States Coast Guard, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, intercepted a Very Large Crude Carrier, Skipper, alleged to be Nigerian-owned and involved in crude oil theft and other transnational crimes,” the statement said.
Edward explained that records from NIMASA’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence Centre showed that the vessel was last seen in Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024.
“An analysis of the vessel’s movement shows that it was last sighted in Nigerian waters on 1 July 2024. After departing Nigerian waters, the vessel continued on its international voyage pattern and was tracked operating in the Arabian Sea and later in the Caribbean region, where the U.S. interdiction eventually took place,” he added.
NIMASA also said the company reportedly linked to the ship, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, is not listed in its database as a Nigerian shipping firm.
The agency further noted that the vessel had changed names several times in the past and was previously owned by Triton Navigation Corp.
Speaking on the development, the Director General of NIMASA, Dr Dayo Mobereola, said Nigeria would continue to work with international partners as investigations continue.
He stressed that criminal activities would not be allowed in Nigerian waters, adding that the agency remains committed to maritime security and global cooperation.
