"Missing” Ship On Its Way Back

MV Asterias, the vessel loaded with crude oil that vanished mysteriously from Ghanaian waters is set to return to Ghana anytime now baring any technical hitches between Saltpond Oil Production Company Limited and Ocean and Oil Services Limited of Nigeria.

The two companies have been locked in intense discussions for almost two months trying to fashion out an amicable solution that will bring all the sides in the transaction to understand and accept laid-down procedures.

The Managing Director of Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Michael Boateng told the GNAT in an interview that ''we expect the financial transaction to be completed between SOPCL and Ocean and Oil by the close of business Tuesday, May 6, 2003.

''When this is done, I can say that the vessel would be ordered into Ghanaian waters the next 24 hours''.

He explained that legally, Ocean and Oil had the right to take over the ship, but we thought we could all arrive at a more acceptable and amicable solution, Mr Boateng added.

It will be recalled that Ocean and Oil sailed the vessel away without notifying their Ghanaian partners. The government of Ghana therefore declared the ship missing and notified INTERPOL to help search for the ship, which was later found in Nigerian waters.