piracy threat

BMP West Africa: New guidance to deter piracy issued

Amid a complex and dynamic maritime security situation in West Africa, a new publication provides Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy and Enhance Maritime Security off the Coast of West Africa (BMP- West Africa) including the Gulf of Guinea.

This aims to help ships plan their voyage and detect, avoid, delay and report attacks, thus mitigating the risk from piracy and armed robbery.

The publication highlights, among others, the need of a Vessel Hardening Plan, which  can ensure vessels are...

https://safety4sea.com/bmp-west-africa-new-guidance-to-deter-piracy-issued/

One vessel attacked, two more approached off Nigeria and Benin

A Greek-flagged bulk carrier was attacked on March 25, off the Abgami Terminal. In addition, the same day another vessel reported being approached off Agbami as well, while a day later another ship reported the same.

According to Dryad Global, the Greek Flagged Bulk Carrier MV Scarabe was attacked. MDAT-GoG have reported that one speedboat with 7 attackers on board was in the vicinity of the vessel.

Moreover, two vessels were reported to being approached off Nigeria and Benin. The first incident...

https://safety4sea.com/one-vessel-attacked-two-more-approached-off-nigeria-and-benin/

Pirates kidnap seven crew from container vessel in Gulf of Guinea

Dryad Global Maritime Security reported a piracy incident in the Gulf of Guinea, where seven crew members have been kidnapped.

Specifically, the 2015-built, 957-teu MSC Talia F, that was carrying 17 seafarers, is believed to have been en-route from Lome, Togo to Port Libreville, Gabon at the time of the pirates’ boarding.

According to reports, the vessel had a crew of 17 all understood to be Ukrainian nationals.

Reporting indicates that the Portuguese-flagged container vessel MSC Talia F was...

https://safety4sea.com/pirates-kidnap-seven-crew-from-container-vessel-in-gulf-of-guinea/

EU NAVFOR requests image or video taken during an incident, if possible

Ships sailing through or operating in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (GOA) are advised to refer to the Industry Releasable Threat Bulletin (IRTB) issued by Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) and European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR), to be informed of an incident that took place in the GOA, in advance of the publication of their next quarterly Industry Releasable Threat Assessment (IRTA).

Specifically, on March 3, 2020, a vessel was approached at speed by three skiffs. In the beginning, warning...

https://safety4sea.com/eu-navfor-requests-image-or-video-taken-during-an-incident-if-possible/

Nigeria denounces maritime crime on its waterways

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), stand against the high rate of piracy, armed robbery, and other maritime crimes on the Nigeria’s waterways.

According to NIMASA’s Director-General, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, said with the world’s waters account for more than 80% of transportation requirements in the global trading supply chain network, the risk of piracy, armed robbery and other maritime crimes remain a...

https://safety4sea.com/nigeria-denounces-maritime-crime-on-its-waterways/

Captain dies as pirates attack tanker

Pirates attacked the tanker San Ramons off Venezuela, on February 24. During the attack, the Captain was shot in the head and subsequently died, while another crew was injured, and one is missing, after jumping overboard.

As sources report, the tanker San Ramon was in Boraccha island waters, north of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, when pirates attacked it, on February 24.

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During the attack, information says that the Captain was shot in the face and died. What is...

https://safety4sea.com/captain-dies-as-pirates-attack-tanker/

Pirates attack container ship off Gulf of Guinea

Maersk Tema, a container ship operated by Bernhard Schulte Ship, was attacked by two speedboats in the Gulf of Guinea on February 14. The crew initiated emergency procedures, while it is not known if the pirates managed to board the ship.

According to information, Maersk Tema was off São Tomé, in the Gulf of Guinea, at the time of the attack.

Maersk Group has said that despite the name, the ship does not belong to them.

In its most recent piracy report, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB)...

https://safety4sea.com/pirates-attack-container-ship-off-gulf-of-guinea/

West Africa piracy updates

The Standard Club is focusing on the rise of piracy and armed robbery attacks off West Africa in the timeframe between 2019 to 2020, and collaborates with several local lawyers and correspondents in the area receiving various guidance.

In its most recent piracy report, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) highlighted that West Africa and particularly Gulf of Guinea have experienced a record high in piracy incidents, as the number of crew kidnapped in the Gulf of Guinea increased more than 50%...

https://safety4sea.com/west-africa-piracy-updates/

ICS: Shipping ready to work with all parties to end attacks in Gulf of Guinea

The shipping industry is willing to support Nigerian Navy efforts and work with all parties, in order to end the escalation of piracy that acts as an endemic blight to free trade, was the key message of ICS Chairman Esben Poulsson, while speaking after the ICS Board meeting in London this week.

Seafarers have the right to operate free from the fear of kidnap or capture. But improved security in the Gulf of Guinea will also boost Nigerian industry. There is an opportunity to pursue win-win...

https://safety4sea.com/ics-shipping-ready-to-work-with-all-parties-to-end-attacks-in-gulf-of-guinea/

Nigeria suspends Secure Anchorage Area contract as illegal

Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi stated that the secure Anchorage Area contract has been officially suspended, commenting that it is an illegal act to create anchorage for purposes of providing security.

Specifically, during a media briefing on the Deep Blue project organised by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in Lagos, Mr Amaechi added that the project was false and projected that it is not possible that an individual can protect a country....

https://safety4sea.com/nigeria-suspends-secure-anchorage-area-contract-as-illegal/

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