Nigeria Customs Seals Vessel Over Fuel Discharge at Lagos

The Nigeria Customs Service has sealed a vessel for discharging petroleum products without proper authorization at a Lagos port, an action that led to a confrontation with terminal security personnel. The vessel, MT NY Maria, was prevented from offloading its cargo of Premium Motor Spirit at the MRS Terminal at the Dantata Jetty, Tincan Island Port.

According to a statement from the Tincan Island Command, officers boarded the vessel upon its arrival from the Dangote Refinery on May 23 to conduct routine checks. During this exercise, officials discovered the vessel lacked complete documentation, specifically the mandatory last port clearance from its port of origin. The vessel's agent was granted a two-day period to provide the outstanding document, and the vessel was sealed and placed under Customs control pending compliance.

Officials stated that on May 27, they received intelligence that the vessel had begun discharge operations without obtaining the required Customs clearance and while still under an official Customs seal. Upon mobilization to the terminal, officers encountered resistance from security personnel stationed at the facility. The Customs Service stated that its...