5 Vessels Arrested in "Clear Case of Illegal Bunkering"

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday October 22, 2015

The Nigerian Navy says it has arrested five vessels and a Cotonou boat for illegal bunkering after operators of the vessels were allegedly caught illegally discharging 108,000 litres of diesel from a private jetty in Port Harcourt, local media reports.

"We discovered on Monday that the vessels MV Denis, MV Faith, MV Lum VII, MV Eliora, FP Comfort, and a large Cotonou boat were discharging illegally refined products into five barges," said Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, the Commander of NNS Pathfinder.

"This is a clear case of illegal bunkering going by the position of the Federal Government on sourcing and distribution of illegally refined petroleum products.

"Investigation is ongoing to unravel involvement of individuals and groups behind this illicit trade."

Ibrahim said that the navy, under orders from Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok Ete-Ibas, are consistently monitoring public and private jetties to reduce oil theft, and notes that private jetty owners caught allowing illegal bunkering activities, would be arrested, prosecuted, and have their jetties confiscated.

One of the at least 19 crew members suspected of the illegal activities is said to have confirmed on behalf of the others that they were supplying the illegal petroleum product without appropriate license or approval.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Nigeria's Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta seized an ocean going vessel and a barge in connection with suspected loading of stolen crude.