Argy-Bargy12 Mar 2024 12:53
As with all SLE communications, what is left out is infinitely more interesting than what's disclosed.
For instance, the much hailed barging operation to the Eli Akaso.
Eroton, when it was Operator, commenced barging operations in May 2022, transferring 5 cargoes up to Sepember 2022 from Cawthorne into the MT Ramaha.
In August that year, Eroton gained 'ship to ship' transfer approval relating to the 'mother ship'. So those cargoes were tranferred to the 'mother ship', MT Sea Pearl, ready for onward transmission to the Eli Akaso.
And then nothing...no information whatsoever. The MT Sea Pearl remains anchored in the Bonny Channel.
However, in July 2023 it was reported in the Nigerian media, that a judgement for an unpaid debt was filed against Eli and in August 2023 an attempt by a Sheriff and accompanying police to take possession of the Eli Akaso was repulsed by armed men.
Now SLE is saying that barging operations will BEGIN in a few weeks time.
What's my take on this? It has never been reported that Eroton had gained 'ship to ship' approval from the 'mother ship' to the Eli Akaso. In light of what is reported to have happened in 2023, will the permits be in place to do the final transfers? As NNPCL is now the Operator, if it backs the whole ACOES project, then this may be possible.
If not.........