Crew Kidnappings

Last Of 2 Kidnapped Seafarers From Tanker Vessel Return To India

Seafarers’ Challenges During COVID-19 The Case Of MV Gulf Sky

After almost 3 weeks, the last 2 seafarers who had been captured during the hijacking of an oil tanker returned to India.

The tanker, named MT Gulf Sky, had been hijacked on July 5, as per UN reports. The hijackers told the seafarers to steer the ship for the Iranian mainland.

After the hijackers brought the ship to the port of Bandar Abbas, most of the crew members had been brought back to India. Only 2 seafarers- namely the Chief Engineer and another crewmember remained in Tehran, due to the...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/last-of-2-kidnapped-seafarers-from-tanker-vessel-return-to-india/

Armed Men Attack FPSO And Kidnap 11 Personnel Near Okwori Field, Nigeria

Okwori Field Incident_Thumbnail

Reporting indicates that the FPSO SENDJE BERGE has been attacked by unknown armed men. Further reports indicate that up to 11 personnel may have been kidnapped from the vessel

It is assessed that this attack is unique within the wider realm of offshore incidents within West Africa. Both the manner of attack and target are beyond the usual targeting and attack methodology of pirate action groups within Nigeria. Reports indicated that explosives were used during the attack. Whilst unable to be...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/armed-men-attack-fpso-and-kidnap-11-personnel-near-okwori-field-nigeria/

6 Crew Members Kidnapped From Fishing Vessel Near Cotonou Port

Cotonou-Incident

Report indicates that the fishing vessel PANOFI FRONTIER has been attacked by several gunmen onboard one-speed boat 61nm South of Cotonou Port.

Following a successful boarding, the individuals left the vessel with 6 crew members believed to be 5 Korean and one Ghanaian. The speedboat was last seen heading East towards Nigerian waters.

Dryad Analysis

This is the 7th incident within the waters off Cotonou within 2020. The last incident recorded within this area was on the 14 May 20 when a vessel was...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/6-crew-members-kidnapped-from-fishing-vessel-near-cotonou-port/

Pirates Abduct Seven Crew Members From Container Ship MSC TALIA F In Gulf of Guinea

Anti Piracy at sea

The Portuguese-flagged container ship, MSC Talia, was en-route from Lomé to Port Libreville, when pirates boarded the ship and kidnapped seven crew members, as reported by Dryad Global.

A total of 17 crew members, all Ukrainian nationals were believed to be on board the MV when the attack occurred. The incident was reported by Dryad Global on 22nd March (Sunday), 2020.

It is understood that the crew are locked within the citadel and are in touch with the owners.

Dryad Global

Image Credits: Dryad...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/pirates-abduct-seven-crew-members-from-container-ship-msc-talia-f-in-gulf-of-guinea/

IMB: Growth In Number Of Crew Kidnappings In Gulf Of Guinea

Anti Piracy at sea

Despite overall piracy incidents declining in 2019, there was an alarming increase in crew kidnappings across the Gulf of Guinea, according to the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) annual piracy report.

Image Credits: icc-ccs.org

In 2019, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre received 162 incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships worldwide, in comparison to 201 reported incidents in 2018.

The incidents included four hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon,...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/imb-growth-in-number-of-crew-kidnappings-in-gulf-of-guinea/

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