Kula Boat Mishap: Max Shipping Distances Chairman From Recovery Operation, Cites Contract With Menal
Max Shipping Services Limited has distanced its Chairman, Chief Dr. Cletus Madubugwu Ibeto, from allegations surrounding the boat mishap at the Robertkiri waterways in Kula Kingdom, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, insisting that its involvement was limited to recovering its vessel, ANAMBRA BASIN FSO.
In a statement dated October 21, 2026, the company said the vessel, owned by its subsidiary relationship within Ibeto Group, had been hired to Menal Technical Services Limited under a Marine Equipment Hire Agreement executed on September 20, 2024, and subsequently amended.
The clarification follows allegations by members of Kula communities and survivors that a tugboat, reportedly escorted by military personnel, was involved in a confrontation with protesters attempting to prevent the removal of the oil vessel. Seven persons were reported missing and feared drowned, while eight others were reportedly rescued.
Max Shipping maintained that ownership of the vessel should not be confused with responsibility for the underlying petroleum operations or community-related arrangements at the location. It said Menal, as the hirer, assumed specified contractual responsibilities relating to operational exigencies, community settlements, vessel security and demobilisation.
The company said it initiated the recovery of its equipment after prolonged outstanding hire payments and repeated unsuccessful efforts to secure settlement.
Addressing concerns about possible environmental pollution, Max Shipping stated that the crude oil stored in the vessel had been discharged before the demobilisation exercise. It cited tank inspection documents issued by Checkirem and GSV Inspection Services Limited in September 2026, which it said recorded the inspected tanks as free and clean of crude oil at the time of inspection.
The company also said its representatives had held several meetings with community leaders to explain its contractual relationship with Menal and seek a peaceful resolution before the recovery exercise.
However, community members have separately accused the company of environmental pollution, unpaid vendor obligations and outstanding host-community royalties. A survivor, Gibert Pokubo, also alleged that military personnel attached to the tugboat acted on instructions to force the vessel out of the area despite resistance from protesters.
Max Shipping expressed sadness over the reported capsizing and possible loss of life, calling on the relevant security authorities to investigate the circumstances and take necessary lawful action.
It urged residents to remain calm and appealed to the media and the public to distinguish between vessel ownership, contractual obligations and the separate operational arrangements at the oilfield.
The company’s statement represents its account of the dispute and the recovery operation. Its contractual claims and the allegations by community members have not been independently verified.
The circumstances surrounding the capsizing, the role of the personnel involved, the sequence of events on the waterways and any potential environmental damage remain matters for investigation. The families of the missing persons continue to await answers as calls for accountability grow.
Enquiries sent to Menal Technical Services Limited and the Nigerian Army’s 6 Division remained unanswered as of press time.
