Headlines

France seizes Russian oligarch’s yacht, detains multiple merchant ships

Seized Russian Oligarchy superyacht

France has seized the yacht believed to be owned by an oligarch with close ties to Putin.

French authorities are increasing their enforcement efforts under the European sanctions against Russia both detaining commercial merchant ships and in a high-profile action announced they had seized a superyacht linked to one of Russia’s wealthiest oligarchs.

France’s minister of the economy, Bruno Le Maire thanked customs officials for their efforts citing offenses under the newly imposed sanctions.

Customs inspectors boarded the superyacht Amore Vero, a 281-foot vessel registered in the Cayman Islands that features amenities rivaling those of a deluxe cruise ship, late on March 2.

According to the minister, the vessel had arrived at a French shipyard in La Ciotat near Marseilles on January 3 for three months of scheduled maintenance.

“At the time of the inspection, the ship was making arrangements to get underway urgently, without having completed the planned work,” said Le Maire in a press release.

He reported that customs undertook a check lasting several hours before seizing the vessel.

Le Maire said that they had determined that the vessel was owned by a company in which Igor Setchine, the head of the Russian oil company Rosneft, is believed to be the main shareholder.

“This vessel fell within the scope of the freezing measures,” the minister announced.

Representatives for the owners of the vessel are however disputing the French statements, contending that Setchine had no interest in their company.

Built in the Netherlands in 2013 at an estimated cost of $120 million, the yacht originally sailed as the St. Princess Olga but was reportedly sold in 2018 possibly as part of a divorce settlement.

The vessel has accommodations for 14 passengers and 28 crew. The vessel reportedly has a top speed of 20 knots and a cruising radius of 4,000 nautical miles.

While French authorities are saying the yacht has been seized, they are reporting that several merchant ships are also being detained and undergoing inspections to determine if they should be “frozen” based on the sanctions.

The bulk carrier Pola Ariake arrived from Ukraine at the port of Lorient, France early on Monday, February 28.

The vessel registered in Panama reportedly has a cargo of 27,000 tons of soybean meal aboard and is manned by a crew of 20 Russian and Ukrainian sailors.

French authorities are however saying that Paola Maritime is the manager and that the vessel’s ownership is linked to the Russian Ministry of Transport.

The investigation is ongoing to determine if the vessel will be permitted to resume operations.

Similarly, in the port of Fos-sur-Mer near Marseille, a smaller Russian-register general cargo ship is also being detained.

Victor Andryukhin, an 8,172 dwt vessel arrived at the port on Sunday traveling only with ballast. Built in 2021, the vessel is reportedly manned by 12 Russian crew.

French officials have detained the vessel keeping the crew onboard while they investigate.

On Saturday, France intercepted the RORO cargo ship, Baltic Leader shortly after it departed Rouen heading for St. Petersburg.

The vessel docked at the French port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer and remains detained at the port.

French officials are linking ownership of the vessel to the son of a former Russian intelligence officer, saying that the ship violated the sanctions.

Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.

Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.

The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.

He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.

Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.

“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.

Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence, brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.

It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.

He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.

He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme

Funso OLOJO, Editor

The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.

According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.

This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.

The Programme, according to the NCS, also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.

According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.

“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.

“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.

” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.

However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.

The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.

“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.

Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.

The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.

“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.

The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.

“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.

“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.