US Seizes Nigerian-Owned Very Large Crude Carrier, Reason Emerges
- The US Navy, in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, have seized a Nigerian-owned supertanker, Skipper, over the allegation of oil theft, piracy and other transactional crimes
- The report said that the VLCC was under the management and ownership of the Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd
- However, the registered owner was listed as Triton Navigation Corp., which has its headquarters in the Marshall Islands
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
The United States Coast Guard and the US Navy have reportedly intercepted and seized a Nigerian-owned supertanker, Skipper, which was being accused of oil theft, piracy and other transactional crimes.
The 20-year-old Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) vessel with the registered number IMO Number 9304667, was said to be under the management and ownership of the Nigeria-based Thomarose Global Ventures Ltd. It was also reported that its registered owner was listed as Triton Navigation Corp., which has its headquarters in the Marshall Islands.
Source: Twitter
Nigerian-owned vessel accused of flying Guyana's flag
Vanguard reported that authorities have claimed that the vessel was illegally flying the flag of Guyana when it was arrested.
Reacting to the claim, Guyana’s Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), immediately denied Skipper, saying it was not on its national ship registry and that the country's flag was being used without authorisation.
Security sources in the US disclosed that the vessel was seized under American law enforcement authority as President Donald Trump announced the operation.
Aside from being suspected of stealing crude, the Skipper is also under investigation for the alleged transportation of a large consignment of hard drugs and for suspiciously operating within a network of suspected Iranian and other Islamist-linked money-laundering financiers.
Did CAC register the US-seized Nigerian vessel?
According to the records of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja, the Nigerian capital, Thomarose is listed as inactive.
Further investigation revealed that the corporate address of Thomarose is 111 Jakpa Road, Effurun, Warri, Delta State. The CAC registration number of the company is 1007876. However, no phone number was linked to the company.
Engr. Akin Olaniyan, the president of the Centre for Marine Surveyors (CMS), in his reaction to the seizure, stated that if indeed the vessel departed from Nigeria before it was intercepted, it would show the weakness in the Port State Control regime in the country.
Otunba Sola Adewumi, the president of the Ship Owners Association of Nigeria (SOAN), while speaking on the matter, noted that he could not make a comment on the seizure of the vessel because he had yet to be briefed on the details surrounding the incident. He then begged for more time to ascertain the vessel's registration status as well as its ownership.
Source: UGC
US Navy carrier collided with merchant vessel
Legit.ng earlier reported that a US Navy aircraft carrier reportedly collided with a merchant vessel near Egypt on Wednesday Night, February 13
This was disclosed by the US military in a statement on Thursday, adding that the nuclear-powered carrier remained stable and no injury was recorded.
The US Navy aircraft carrier is the latest disaster happening to America. This came after the fourth plane crash in the US.
Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Source: Legit.ng
