Eastern Naval Command, NPA Crack Down On Illegal Bunkering

The Eastern Naval Command (ENC), in partnership with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has destroyed ten locally manufactured Canoes commonly called “dendeys” used in illegal bunkering operations.

The dismantling which took place at the Fishing Harbour in Tema on Tuesday May 26, 2026, forms part of sustained, intelligence-led operations by the ENC, Naval Training Command and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) to disrupt the infrastructure that enables unregulated fuel smuggling along the coast.

NPA Chief Executive Officer, Mr Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe described the exercise as a robust and commended the Ghana Navy for their commitment to eliminating maritime illegalities.

He warned that illegal bunkering and fuel smuggling cause substantial state revenue losses through tax evasion, pose national security risks and undermine efforts to monitor fuel quality.

He stressed that smuggled products bypass the rigorous fuel-marking scheme and standard testing by the NPA and Ghana Standards Authority, endangering consumers and creating unfair competition for law-abiding Oil Marketing Companies.

Flag Officer Commanding ENC, Commodore Asiedu-Larbi, stressed the resolve to secure the territorial waters of Ghana.

He also expressed gratitude to NPA for the institutional support, resource sharing and joint intelligence, emphasising that multi-agency collaboration was essential to tackling maritime economic threats.

Deputy Command Operations Officer of ENC, Lieutenant Commander Dorothy Osei Anaso, said the seizures and decommissioning followed standard procedures.

Retrieved petroleum products were formally handed over to the NPA for investigation and regulatory action.

She said the decommissioning process began in mid-May, with five canoes already dismantled.

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