13 crew kidnapped from tanker off Benin

13 crew kidnapped from tanker off Benin
Jason Jiang July 20, 2020 https://splash247.com/13-crew-kidnapped-from-tanker-off-benin/

The 2007-built 11,300 dwt chemical tanker Curacao Trader was attacked by pirates off the coast of Benin in West Africa on July 17.

According to the ship’s manager Alison Management, 13 out of 19 Ukrainian and Russian crewmembers onboard the vessel have been taken hostage by the pirates. The ship was adrift with limited manpower following the attack. Nearby vessel Frio Chikuma sailed to the ship in an attempt to provide assistance.

“Alison Mangement wishes to advise that its prime concern remains the safety and recovery of its abducted crews and no effort shall be spared to achieve their soonest possible release,” the company said in a release.

Ship registration information shows the vessel is owned by UK owner Lomar Shipping.

Last week, ICC International Maritime Bureau’s (IMB) released its latest piracy report saying The Gulf of Guinea off West Africa is increasingly dangerous for commercial shipping, accounting for just over 90% of maritime kidnappings worldwide.

So far this year, 49 crew have been kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea and the rates are accelerating, with 32 crew kidnapped in the past three months alone.