On May 20 local time, the Maersk-operated feeder container ship “Maersk Valparaiso” collided with a small product tanker in the Bonny Channel off the coast of Nigeria.

The accident caused both vessels to run aground temporarily and resulted in an oil spill.

According to local maritime authorities, five crew members were injured and have been taken to the hospital for treatment; no fatalities have been reported so far.

The container ship involved is a 1,740 TEU feeder vessel that has long operated on West African routes, serving markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire.

At the time of the incident, the vessel was being piloted into port and preparing to berth at the WACT terminal in Onne Port.

While maneuvering in the fairway, the vessel collided with the product tanker “Lady Martina,” which was departing from the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone.

After the collision:

The tanker drifted and ran aground.

The container ship became stuck in a muddy area in the middle of the fairway.

Shipping traffic in the Bonny River fairway was disrupted.

Although the container ship was successfully refloated on May 21 with the help of the rising tide and towed to a safe anchorage, the impact of the incident continues.

Significant congestion has already developed at the Bonny anchorage.

Several vessels have been forced to wait, and some ships entering and exiting the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone have also been affected.