Shipping on alert as crude tanker fired on in Gulf of Guinea

Shipping on alert as crude tanker fired on in Gulf of Guinea
Gary Dixon 12 December 2022 https://www.tradewindsnews.com/tankers/shipping-on-alert-as-crude-tanker...

Vessel increased speed to avoid attack after loading in Cameroon

Vessels have been put on high alert in the Gulf of Guinea after pirates fired on a crude tanker.

Security company Ambrey reported the incident in Equatorial Guinean waters in the early hours of Monday.

The unnamed ship was 89 nautical miles (165 km) southwest of the Kome-Kribi Marine Terminal in Cameroon, where it had loaded a cargo and left the previous evening.

The tanker was believed to be heading to Wilhelmshaven in Germany.

“At the time of the incident, she was underway at approximately 11.9 knots and had an estimated 7.7-metre freeboard. The vessel subsequently increased speed to 12.6kts,” Ambrey said.

Another security company, Diaplous Group, said the attack was reported by UK-French naval operation MDAT GoG.

A skiff was said to have approached within 200 metres and fired three shots towards the tanker’s accommodation. The attack did not escalate further.

“All crewmembers are reported safe, while the vessel continued her journey towards her destination,” Diaplous added.

“Despite a recent downtrend in piracy activity in the Gulf of Guinea, the threat persists and the risk remains elevated, particularly within the Joint War Committee-Listed Area.”

The incident was the fifth reported within Equatorial Guinea’s waters over the past year.

Extreme caution
Two hijackings and two other attacks took place last winter.

Diaplous advised extreme caution in the area.

“Additionally, the use of security escort vessels and the deployment of local navy armed security teams on board the vessels, where available, are highly recommended for similar voyages,” it added.

Last month, an SK Shipping tanker was the victim of a hijacking for the second time this year in the Gulf of Guinea.

MDAT GoG said communication had been lost with the 5,700-dwt B Ocean (built 2010) off Ivory Coast.

Ambrey said: “It was subsequently confirmed that pirates had boarded the vessel, cut communications and had stolen cargo.”

The crew was reported to be safe.

The ship was released after gunmen destroyed navigational and communications equipment.

The crew reached the citadel and alerted authorities.