‘Skipper’ Tanker Not Nigerian-Flagged, NIMASA Insists

‘Skipper’ Tanker Not Nigerian-Flagged, NIMASA Insists

By Our Correspondent

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has firmly denied any Nigerian ownership or flagging of the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Skipper, which was recently intercepted by the United States Coast Guard and U.S. Navy over alleged crude oil theft and transnational crimes.

In a statement, NIMASA clarified that Skipper is not a Nigerian-flagged vessel and that its purported owners, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, are not registered with the agency as a shipping company. According to NIMASA, the vessel’s last appearance in Nigerian waters was on July 1, 2024, after which it followed an international route through the Arabian Sea in Asia and into the Caribbean, where the U.S. interdiction occurred.

The agency has pledged full collaboration with U.S. authorities and other stakeholders in the investigations. NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola emphasized that criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters.

Records show that Skipper has a history of multiple name changes, having previously been owned by Triton Navigation Corp. NIMASA’s statement aims to set the record straight on the vessel’s ownership and flagging status.

The agency’s denial comes after the U.S. authorities seized the vessel over allegations of crude oil theft and transnational crimes. NIMASA’s clarification is expected to help resolve any misunderstandings and ensure that the investigations are focused on the actual perpetrators.

NIMASA’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to tackle maritime crimes and ensure the security of Nigerian waters is unwavering. The agency will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to prevent and investigate maritime crimes, and to protect the interests of Nigeria and its people.