All 14 crew members aboard the Maersk Valparaiso were confirmed safe on 24 May following the containership’s collision with the Nigerian-flagged oil products tanker Lady Martina on 20 May in Nigeria’s Onne Bonny River.
The incident left at least five people injured aboard the Lady Martina and caused major disruptions to maritime traffic after the Maersk Valparaiso blocked access to the river, halting vessel movements at both Port Harcourt and Onne Port.
The collision marked the second maritime incident in just two days, prompting the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to issue a strong reminder to maritime stakeholders about the importance of ensuring the safety of vessels carrying Filipino seafarers.
In a social media post, the DMW said the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had activated emergency response procedures in coordination with pilots and other authorities. The agency also confirmed that all evacuated crew members aboard the Maersk Valparaiso were Filipino nationals.
To remind, the collision occurred at around 11 a.m. local time on May 20 as the Singapore-flagged Maersk Valparaiso, arriving from Abidjan Port in Côte d’Ivoire, was preparing to dock at the West Africa Container Terminal in Onne Port.
As reported, the Lady Martina, which was departing the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, collided with the containership while the latter was being maneuvered toward Berth 4 of the port. The impact caused the tanker to run aground in shallow waters, while the Maersk Valparaiso also became stuck in the mud along the river.
The accident triggered an oil spill, and five crew members aboard the Lady Martina sustained injuries.
As of May 24, AIS data showed the Maersk Valparaiso remained moored, days after the collision disrupted river access and affected port operations.