Vessels Stranded at Onne Port as Maersk Container Ship Collides with Barge, Blocks Channel
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Vessel movement at Onne Port has come to a standstill following a collision involving a Maersk container vessel and a barge on the channel, leaving multiple ships stranded and unable to sail.
The Maersk Valparaiso, voyage 621S, carrying an estimated 717 containers, was involved in the incident on Tuesday, May 20, 2026. The barge involved also ran aground, leaving the Maersk vessel stuck in the mud on the vessel channel.
Multiple sources at Onne Port confirmed to our correspondent that the incident had completely halted vessel movement in and out of the port, with the Bonny Anchorage already growing congested as a result.
Speaking with DAILY TREND, spokesman of the Shipping Trade Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Dr. Babalola Olatunde confirmed the report, saying the Maersk Line vessel had a collision with a barge on the channel, consequently preventing vessels from both Onne and Port Harcourt from sailing.
“We have vessels that have completed their cargo discharge, but because the channel is blocked due to the collision, vessels could not sail from the port, and Bonny Anchorage is already congested. What we could not confirm right now is if the Maersk vessel was going into the port or leaving, but as we speak, the vessel is stuck,” he said.
Dr. Olatunde further revealed that the incident actually occurred three days earlier but was only made public on Wednesday, as those involved had initially hoped the tide would dislodge the vessel naturally.
“This incident happened three days ago but it was only made known yesterday. When it happened three days ago, they thought the tide would help the vessel to move, but the vessel is already stuck in the mud and it cannot move,” he said.
He also cited a specific case at Berth 2 in Port Harcourt Port to illustrate the operational impact of the blockage.
“My friend is expecting a vessel to come to berth so I was following up the ones in the terminal, at Berth 2 in Port Harcourt Port, a vessel called MV Jamal Topic, she has completed discharge but she couldn’t sail. A staff of the terminal subsequently informed me that the accident caused it while the vessel cannot leave the port yet,” he said.
Also confirming the development to DAILY TREND, President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Francis Bunu Abi stated that the Maersk vessel had passed bonny, navigating for a turn to enter Onne Berth 4 before it grounded.
“They said the vessel actually took a wrong channel, not the normal channel other vessels were taking ” he said
Our correspondent gathered that relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), have been duly informed of the development.
