Max Shipping Services Limited, proprietor of ANAMBRA BASIN FSO, has denied the involvement of its chairman, Chief Cletus Ibeto, within the latest incidents in Kula neighborhood, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
No fewer than 10 individuals are feared lifeless after a ship reportedly capsized throughout a confrontation over an oil spill at OML-55 locally on Tuesday.
The incident reportedly occurred after neighborhood members protesting alleged unpaid royalties, excellent vendor funds and environmental air pollution blocked the motion of MT Anambra Basin, operated by the Ibeto Group.
The protesters are demanding compensation, aid supplies and environmental clean-up, alleging that greater than 36 communities and fishing settlements have been affected.
However, Max Shipping Services Limited, in an announcement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by its authorized officer, Ikeh Chidimma Sylvia, stated Ibeto didn’t authorise the deployment of armed personnel to confront the protesters.
The firm stated its involvement was restricted to retrieving its vessel, which had been employed to Menal Technical Services Limited beneath a Marine Equipment Hire Agreement dated September 20, 2024, subsequently amended by an addendum.
According to the assertion, the corporate exercised its contractual proper to recuperate the vessel following extended delays in rent funds and repeated efforts to safe settlement.
“Max Shipping Services Limited has noted with deep concern recent media reports concerning an incident at Kula community, Rivers State, involving its vessel, ANAMBRA BASIN FSO,” the assertion stated.
It added that the reviews contained allegations linking the vessel’s restoration operation to an oil spill, the deployment of armed personnel allegedly authorised by Ibeto, and a ship capsizing through which a number of individuals have been feared lifeless.
The firm confused that it owned the vessel however was neither the operator of the oilfield nor a celebration to the underlying petroleum operations in Kula neighborhood.
It stated its contractual relationship was with Menal Technical Services Limited, which assumed specified obligations regarding operational exigencies, neighborhood settlements, vessel and personnel safety, and demobilisation.
The assertion additional stated Menal and the tip consumer had separate operational preparations with the host neighborhood, including that the delivery firm was not a celebration to these preparations.
On the situation of the vessel earlier than the restoration operation, Max Shipping Services Limited stated the crude oil saved in it had been discharged.
It cited tank inspection paperwork issued by Checkirem and GSV Inspection Services Limited in September 2026, which it stated recorded that the inspected tanks have been free and clear of crude oil on the time of inspection.
The firm stated the paperwork shaped a part of the proof being preserved for the related authorities.
It additionally stated its representatives had met neighborhood leaders and different representatives on a number of events to clarify its contractual relationship with Menal Technical Services Limited and make clear that it was in search of to recuperate its tools.
According to the corporate, the conferences have been meant to resolve misunderstandings and safe a peaceable decision slightly than confrontation.
The firm stated it was involved by reviews attributing duty for the incident and the alleged lack of life to Ibeto or presenting the vessel’s restoration operation as an motion undertaken by him in reference to the oilfield actions.
It reiterated that ANAMBRA BASIN FSO was owned by Max Shipping Services Limited, a subsidiary of the Ibeto Group, and had been employed to Menal Technical Services Limited for deployment on the location.
It maintained that possession of the vessel must be distinguished from duty for the petroleum operations and community-related preparations in Kula.
