NIMASA has dismissed claims linking Nigeria to the intercepted VLCC Skipper, stressing the vessel is not Nigerian-flagged and has no ownership ties to Nigeria.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has issued a firm clarification to address widespread reports alleging Nigerian involvement in the ownership and operations of the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Skipper, which was recently intercepted by the United States Coast Guard with support from the U.S. Navy.
According to the agency, such claims are inaccurate and risk misrepresenting Nigeria’s role in global maritime activities.
This NIMASA clarification followed intense media attention suggesting that the vessel, identified by International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number 9304667, was Nigerian-owned and allegedly connected to crude oil theft and other transnational crimes.
NIMASA maintained that investigations and internal records do not support these assertions.
In an official statement signed by Osagie Edward, Deputy Director and Head of Public Relations, the agency explained that the VLCC Skipper is not registered under the Nigerian flag.
Furthermore, the company cited in some reports as the vessel’s owner, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, is not listed in NIMASA’s database as a Nigerian shipping company.
This, the agency said, clearly removes Nigeria from any ownership responsibility connected to the vessel.
NIMASA also relied on technical maritime surveillance data to reinforce its position. Information from the agency’s Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence (C4i) Centre revealed that the vessel was last seen within Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024.
After that date, it exited Nigeria’s maritime domain and continued on an international shipping route consistent with global commercial operations.
According to the NIMASA clarification, vessel tracking showed that the Skipper sailed through the Arabian Sea region before later moving toward the Caribbean.
It was in that region that U.S. authorities eventually intercepted the vessel.
NIMASA stressed that the interdiction occurred far from Nigerian waters, under the jurisdiction of foreign maritime security agencies.
Further records examined by the agency indicate that the vessel has a complex operational history.
At various times, it changed names and ownership structures, and was previously linked to Triton Navigation Corp.
NIMASA noted that such changes are not uncommon in international shipping, but they also make it essential to rely on verified registries rather than assumptions or unconfirmed reports.
The agency expressed concern that unverified allegations could damage Nigeria’s reputation in the global maritime industry, particularly at a time when the country is intensifying efforts to improve Nigerian maritime security and attract international investment.
Officials warned that careless reporting could undermine confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory institutions and maritime governance framework.
Reaffirming its position, NIMASA stated that Nigeria remains committed to combating illegal activities at sea, including piracy, oil theft, and smuggling.
The agency emphasized that it has invested significantly in surveillance technology, inter-agency cooperation, and international partnerships to ensure that its waters are properly monitored and secured.
Speaking on the matter, NIMASA’s Director General, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, underscored the importance of collaboration with international partners such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
He explained that maritime crime is a global challenge that requires coordinated responses across borders.
According to him, Nigeria has consistently demonstrated its willingness to share intelligence and support lawful investigations wherever necessary.
Dr. Mobereola also stressed that Nigeria would not shield any vessel or operator involved in criminal activity within its jurisdiction.
However, he insisted that responsibility must be established based on facts, not speculation.
The NIMASA clarification, he said, was necessary to set the record straight and prevent misinformation from gaining further traction.
The agency added that as investigations by U.S. authorities continue, NIMASA will remain open to providing any verified data required to support international law enforcement efforts.
This cooperation, it noted, aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under international maritime conventions and reinforces its standing as a responsible maritime nation.
