The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company (NIMASA) has distanced Nigeria from a Supertanker, Very Massive Crude Provider (VLCC), SKIPPER, seized by the US Coast Guard over allegations of stolen crude oil, insisting that the vessel is neither Nigerian-flagged nor registered with the company.
NIMASA’s clarification adopted widespread media reviews describing the vessel as Nigerian-owned.
In a press release issued by Edward Osagie, its Head of Public Relations on Saturday, the company confirmed that whereas the vessel sailed into Nigerian waters sooner or later in 2024, its purported homeowners, Thomarose International Ventures Restricted, are unknown to NIMASA and should not registered as a delivery firm with the company.
Dayo Mobereola, Director-Basic of NIMASA, reaffirmed Nigeria’s dedication to worldwide cooperation in maritime safety, stressing that criminality wouldn’t be tolerated in Nigerian waters.
He stated the company would collaborate absolutely with U.S. authorities and different stakeholders in ongoing investigations into the vessel’s actions.
“The eye of the administration of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Company (NIMASA) has been drawn to media reviews stating that the US Coast Guard, in collaboration with the U.S. Navy, intercepted a Very Massive Crude Provider (VLCC) SKIPPER with IMO Quantity 9304667, alleged to be Nigerian-owned and concerned in crude oil theft and different transnational crimes.
“NIMASA needs to place it on document that the VLCC SKIPPER will not be a Nigerian-flagged vessel, and its purported homeowners, Thomarose International Ventures Restricted, weren’t registered with NIMASA as a delivery firm”, the assertion learn.
In response to NIMASA, evaluation from its Command, Management, Communication, Computer systems and Intelligence (C4i) Centre confirmed that the vessel was final sighted in Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024.
“After leaving Nigeria, the tanker continued its worldwide operations, transferring by the Arabian Sea and later into the Caribbean, the place it was ultimately intercepted by U.S. authorities.”, it added.
The company additionally added that data indicated the vessel, previously owned by Triton Navigation Corp, had undergone a number of identify adjustments over time, a apply typically related to makes an attempt to obscure possession and operational historical past.
“Additional checks revealed discrepancies surrounding the vessel’s alleged possession.
“Investigations confirmed that the registered company deal with of Thomarose International Companies at 111 Jakpa Street, Effurun, Warri, Delta State, was non-existent, with no such firm working on the location.
“Impartial vessel-tracking information obtained by Vanguard detailed a fancy motion sample.
Learn additionally: US intercepts Nigerian-owned supertanker over alleged oil theft and piracy
“Between August 13, 2024, and January 29, 2025, the SKIPPER was sighted round Kharg Island close to Iran. It subsequently moved to Singapore between January 29 and March 8, 2025, earlier than working round Sri Lanka and Kharg Island once more from March 8 to July 6, 2025. From July to mid-August 2025, the vessel shuttled between Kharg Island and Hong Kong”, NIMASA revealed
Experiences additional indicated that from August 13 to November 14, 2025, the tanker transported crude oil to China from the José Terminal in Venezuela. It was final sighted on the José Terminal on November 14, shortly earlier than its interception by U.S. authorities.
