The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has firmly denied any Nigerian ownership or registration links to the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Skipper (IMO 9304667), intercepted by the United States Coast Guard and Navy amid allegations of crude oil theft, piracy, and transnational crimes.
In a statement issued on Saturday, NIMASA clarified that the vessel is not Nigerian-flagged, and its alleged operator, Thomarose Global Ventures Limited—a Nigeria-based but inactive company—is not registered with the agency as a shipping entity.
Tracking data from NIMASA’s C4i Centre shows the Skipper was last in Nigerian waters on July 1, 2024, before proceeding on international routes through the Arabian Sea and into the Caribbean, where the U.S. interdiction occurred.
The vessel, formerly owned by Triton Navigation Corp. and with a history of name changes, was reportedly flying a false Guyanese flag and has prior U.S. sanctions for alleged Iranian-linked activities.
NIMASA Director-General Dr. Dayo Mobereola reaffirmed cooperation with U.S. authorities in the probe, stating: “Criminality will not be tolerated in Nigerian waters.
The clarification addresses media reports linking the vessel to Nigeria, amid ongoing concerns over maritime security and oil theft in the region.
