Sekondi (W/R), April 3, – The Ghana Navy has seized eight unregistered boats suspected to have been used for illegal fuel bunkering at New Takoradi and Poasi landing beaches in the Western Region.
The operation, carried out on March 31, 2026, was led by the Western Naval Command in Sekondi with support from the 2 Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Armed Forces, following intelligence on the use of unregistered vessels to transfer petroleum products.
Dr Charles Teye, Western Regional Director of the Fisheries Commission, said preliminary checks confirmed that the seized boats were not registered as fishing vessels. He noted that the action was taken in line with Sections 53 and 54 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, 2023, which mandate permits for vessel construction and operation in Ghana’s waters.
Mr Hudeen Daud Ahmed, Acting Branch Head of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) in Takoradi, commended the Navy and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding the maritime sector through collaboration.
Officials from the Ghana Maritime Authority, Fisheries Commission, National Petroleum Authority, and the Marine Police Unit of the Ghana Police Service were present to inspect the vessels.
The seized boats have been towed to the Sekondi Naval Harbour for further investigations and possible prosecution.
Authorities say illegal fuel bunkering remains a major threat in Ghana’s coastal waters and across the Gulf of Guinea, often involving unregistered or modified boats used to siphon fuel from larger vessels—typically under the cover of darkness. These activities are linked to smuggling networks, resulting in tax evasion and the circulation of unregulated petroleum products.
The operation forms part of intensified efforts to protect maritime resources, secure state revenue, and ensure sustainable use of the marine environment.
GHBUSS
03 April 2026
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