Switzerland and Nigeria sign an agreement for the release of the vessel San Padre Pio

Following extensive diplomatic efforts by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and the Federal Department of Finance, a memorandum of understanding providing for the immediate release of the vessel was signed on 20 May 2021. It is now incumbent on Nigeria to release the vessel and on the companies involved in operating the San Padre Pio to take the necessary operational measures for the actual departure of the vessel. 

The agreement was signed by Nigeria's minister of justice and the Swiss ambassador in Nigeria.

The agreement is the result of numerous interventions of Switzerland vis-à-vis Nigeria with a view to the release of the vessel. Once the vessel has been able to leave Nigeria's exclusive economic zone, the legal proceeding pending before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg can be terminated.

The San Padre Pio was detained in Nigeria's exclusive economic zone in January 2018. Switzerland had initiated legal proceedings before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Further information:

The M/T “San Padre Pio” Case (Switzerland v. Nigeria), Provisional Measures (EN)
The M/T "San Padre Pio" (No. 2) Case (Switzerland/Nigeria) (EN)

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Communication service: +41 58 462 31 53
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
Federal Department of Finance
Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research