The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has clarified that the Very Large Crude Carrier MV Skipper, intercepted by the United States Navy over alleged crude theft and other transnational crimes, is not registered in Nigeria.

 

 

 

 

 

According to the agency, the vessel, identified by IMO Number 9304667, does not appear on its registry, and the company said to own it, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited, is not recognised as a licensed shipping company under NIMASA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Public Relations, Edward Osagie, NIMASA said its attention was drawn to reports claiming the vessel was Nigerian-owned.

 

 

 

 

 

The statement emphasized that the vessel is not Nigerian-flagged and that an analysis of its movement from the agency’s C4i Centre showed it was last sighted in Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After leaving Nigeria, the vessel reportedly continued on its usual international routes, operating first in the Arabian Sea and later in the Caribbean, where it was eventually intercepted by US authorities.

 

 

 

 

 

NIMASA added that the MV Skipper, formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp, has undergone several name changes over time.