Firm predicts fresh vessel attacks in Gulf of Guinea

Abiola Seun |

Foreign shipping companies calling at Nigerian and other west African countries seaports have been warned to exercise heightened caution within and on approach to the Gulf of Guinea, off Nigeria due to a strong likelihood of fresh attacks on their vessels in that part of the region of Africa.

Dryad Global , a UK -based security outfit , issued the alert sequel to the abduction of four seafarers in the latest piracy attack in the Gulf of Guinea involving a crude oil tanker, just three days after the kidnapping of 10 sailors in the same region.

The boarding of MV Agisilaos was reported on November 29, according to Dryad Global, while the vessel was underway in Ghanaian waters, 5 nautical miles from the Western edge of the Gulf of Guinea HRA, and 22 nautical miles west of Togo TTW.

The MR1 tanker, built in 2006 by Hyundai Mipo, was underway from Point Noire and is currently anchored in Lome, data from the Marine Traffic shows.

The Marshall Islands-registered tanker is owned by Polarwind Maritime, and commercially controlled by Curzon Maritime from the UK, according to VesselsValue information.

It is operated by Singapore-based Diamond Shipping. The ship is worth $ 10.4 million, VV estimates.

Dryad said that the vessel’s AIS data indicates that the ship’s crew attempted to avoid the boarding through evasive maneuvers but was not successful.

The tanker reportedly had 23 crew members onboard prior to the incident, including Russian, Romanian, and Filipino nationals.

As informed, the vessel is now reported safe. Local authorities have been notified.

This is the 24th confirmed kidnapping incident in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea within 2020 with 122 crew kidnapped from vessels, data from Dryad shows.

The attack is being reported on the back of a string of successful kidnappings in the area over the past month.

“While the design of this vessel does not signal any overarching vulnerabilities, this incident highlights the desperation of perpetrators in the region.

Counter-piracy operations and logistical strains mean larger vessels may be targeted should attacks targeting smaller vessels with vulnerable characteristics be unsuccessful,” Dryad said.