Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have physically prevented the discharge of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at the TinCan Island Port terminal of MRS Oil Nigeria PLC in Apapa, Lagos, in a dramatic operation that saw a standoff between customs operatives and private security personnel. The vessel, MT Ny Maria, which was carrying 81,200 metric tonnes of petrol, was ordered to halt its discharge activities after customs officers arrived at the terminal on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
According to reports from TheCable, which obtained video footage of the incident, customs enforcement team members were seen engaged in a physical confrontation with security operatives at the terminal. Sources familiar with the situation disclosed that the vessel had already undergone port, customs, and immigration clearances before the discharge began. “The vessel commenced discharge after receiving NMDPRA and Customs break bulk clearance,” a source told TheCable.
The contested cargo was reportedly loaded from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a 650,000‑barrels‑per‑day facility which has become a major supplier of refined petroleum products in Nigeria. Despite having obtained all necessary regulatory approvals, the vessel was forced to suspend its operations when customs officers arrived at the scene and demanded the arrest of the captain. “They wanted to arrest the captain. No reason was given. The captain obliged with the order to stop the discharge,” the source added.
The intervention by the Customs Service has raised questions about the legality of the stop order, especially since the vessel had already been granted a “break bulk clearance,” which typically allows for the commencement of cargo discharge. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) had also given its clearance for the operation. The sudden halt has created a logistical bottleneck at the terminal, with the 81,200 metric tonnes of PMS now in limbo.
Officials at MRS Oil Nigeria PLC have expressed concern over the financial implications of the forced delay. Industry sources indicate that the delayed discharge of the cargo could attract a daily demurrage cost of $65,000. Demurrage fees are charges payable to the shipping line when a vessel is delayed beyond the allotted time for loading or unloading, and such costs are typically passed on to the cargo owner. For a cargo of this size, an extended delay could result in significant financial losses, potentially running into millions of dollars if the standoff persists.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Nigeria Customs Service nor MRS Oil Nigeria PLC has issued an official statement explaining the reason for the Customs intervention. The company has reportedly engaged the customs leadership to resolve the matter, but no resolution has been announced. The public is still awaiting clarity on the specific infraction that triggered the action, as no prior allegations of non‑compliance or regulatory breaches had been reported against the vessel or its cargo.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions from industry stakeholders, with some operators warning that such unilateral enforcement actions could disrupt the fuel supply chain and lead to artificial scarcity, especially at a time when the country is striving to achieve energy self‑sufficiency. Others have called on the NCS to provide a transparent explanation to avoid market speculation and panic buying.
This is a developing story. Stone Reporters News will continue to follow events and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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