PIRATES

Global Piracy on The Rise, COVID-19 Can Worsen It Further!

  • Armed robbers regularly attack ships in and around the port of Guayaquil.
  • Handling most of Ecuador’s agricultural and industrial imports and exports
  • Ships moored along port’s quays or narrow river passages are easy prey for local criminal gangs.
  • The first three months of 2020 have seen a 24% increase in pirate attacks.
  • Coronavirus pandemic makes piracy even more of a problem in the coming months and years.
  • Modern sea piracy often involves pirates in small fast boats.
  • They board ships to rob...

https://mfame.guru/global-piracy-on-the-rise-covid-19-can-worsen-it-further/

Armed guards repel attack on Stolt tanker in Gulf of Aden

Underscoring the fact that the Gulf of Aden remains a dangerous place, UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) yesterday reported that a vessel had been attacked in the Gulf of Aden off Yemen’s port of Mukalla, at13° 43N 050° 37.4E

Subsequent reports identified the vessel as the U.K.-flagged 2016-built, 32,798 dwt chemical products tanker Stolt Apal, managed by Stolt Tankers B.V.

The pirates approached the Stolt Apal in two skiffs.

“After multiple warning shots were fired by the armed...

https://www.marinelog.com/shipping/safety-and-security/armed-guards-repel-attack-on-stolt-tanker-in-gulf-of-aden/

Pirates Kidnap 10 Crew Members From Tanker Off Nigeria

Anti Piracy at sea

Tanker vessel MT VEMAHOPE was attacked by a single speedboat with an unknown number of armed individuals at around 1930 UTC Apr 30 in Gulf of Guinea, some 175 nm south of Lagos.

The vessel was underway, en route from Lome Togo to Cameroon.

According to reports, 10 crew members have been kidnapped by the pirates.

According to Dryad, with the kidnap of 10 crew from the VEMAHOPE, the total number of crew kidnapped from vessels operating in West Africa in 2020 has increased to 42 personnel.

Image...

https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/pirates-kidnap-10-crew-members-from-tanker-off-nigeria/

Pirates Escape With Containership Hostages! Sheltered Crew Safe in Citadel!

Container ship attacked at Cotonou Anchorage on Apr 19 was boarded by Benin and Nigerian forces early in the morning Apr 21, and was found to be free of pirates, reports Maritime Bulletin.

Crew remain safe

Though 11 crew sheltered in the citadel remain safe, 8 crew who were taken hostage are missing, presumably kidnapped by pirates. 

No further information was provided by Benin and Nigerian authorities. 

How the ship slipped between surrounding TOMMI RITSCHER Benin and Nigerian naval ships remains...

http://mfame.guru/pirates-escape-with-containership-hostages-sheltered-crew-safe-in-citadel/

Armed Sea Robbery and Piracy A Continuing Threat To Seafarers! Warns IMB

The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB) warns of continuing threats seafarers face from pirates and armed robbers on the world’s seas, says an article published in their website.

Attacks in 2020

The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) International Maritime Bureau (IMB),  reports 47 attacks in the first three months of 2020. This is an increase from 38 in the same period last year.

Reports highlight that Pirates boarded 37 ships in the first quarter...

http://mfame.guru/armed-sea-robbery-and-piracy-a-continuing-threat-to-seafarers-warns-imb/

Sudden Drop of Piracy in Venezuela

  • The concentration of oil industry-related infrastructure in Anzoátegui combined with the declining economic situation and lack of security make it a hotspot for armed robbery at sea in the Caribbean region.
  • Acts committed in territorial waters are considered armed robbery of ships. As these anchorages are located in Venezuelan territorial waters, it is classified as armed robbery of ships.
  • While we cannot know what caused these armed robbers to be more violent than those involved in previous...

http://mfame.guru/sudden-drop-of-piracy-in-venezuela/

ICS Joins With Nigeria To Curb Attacks on Ships Crews

  • The number of kidnappings in the Gulf of Guinea has increased by more than 50%.
  • 20 crew members were kidnapped from the MT Duke on 15 December last year.
  • Over 90% of global kidnappings reported at sea took place in the Gulf of Guinea.
  • Deep Blue Project has been implemented by Nigeria to improve its maritime security.
  • ICS has joined hands with Nigeria to improve security.

According to an article published in the International Chamber of Commerce, the number of ship’s crewmembers being kidnapped...

http://mfame.guru/ics-joins-with-nigeria-to-curb-attacks-on-ships-crews/

MT Duke: Abducted Crew Released by Pirates, One Dies in Captivity

According to the Indian mission in Abuja, 19 Indians kidnapped by pirates from a commercial vessel from the high seas off the western coast of Africa last month have been released while one died in their captivity, reports the Economic Times.

Following the attack on the oil tanker MT Duke on December 15, 20 crew members were abducted off the vessel.

One seaman gives up

One able seaman was evidently taken ill and died shortly after capture. Union Maritime said in a statement: “We are seeking...

http://mfame.guru/mt-duke-abducted-crew-released-by-pirates-one-dies-in-captivity/

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