Two recent pirate attacks that
culminated in the abduction of seafarers have been recorded in the Gulf of
Guinea. It seems that all of these events may be linked.
culminated in the abduction of seafarers have been recorded in the Gulf of
Guinea. It seems that all of these events may be linked.
The cargo vessel Rio Mitong was
intercepted by a single speedboat with an undisclosed number of perpetrators in
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Dryad Global and Praesidium International, said in
different statements.
intercepted by a single speedboat with an undisclosed number of perpetrators in
Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, Dryad Global and Praesidium International, said in
different statements.
The perpetrators used the ladder to
climb the Comoros-flagged multipurpose ship and proceeded to abduct two crew
members of the vessel, one Russian and one Ukrainian. The kidnappers fled the
region and went to Cameroon. The remaining crew members are deemed to be
healthy.
climb the Comoros-flagged multipurpose ship and proceeded to abduct two crew
members of the vessel, one Russian and one Ukrainian. The kidnappers fled the
region and went to Cameroon. The remaining crew members are deemed to be
healthy.
The 8,900 dwt Rio Mitong is operated
by Panama-based Glomar Supplies, VesselsValue’s data shows. The
122.4-metre-long MPP had arrived in Malabo from Abidjan last year in support of
the Ounta Europa LNG project and since then remain within the anchorage area,
occasionally reaching the berth.
by Panama-based Glomar Supplies, VesselsValue’s data shows. The
122.4-metre-long MPP had arrived in Malabo from Abidjan last year in support of
the Ounta Europa LNG project and since then remain within the anchorage area,
occasionally reaching the berth.
Based on available records, this would
be the first piracy incident with successful kidnap ever recorded in the Malabo
anchorage area, according to Praesidium International.
be the first piracy incident with successful kidnap ever recorded in the Malabo
anchorage area, according to Praesidium International.
Another vessel was attacked within the
Luba anchorage on the same night. The ship in question is research/survey
vessel Djibloho, managed by Equatorial Guinea Marina Malabo.
Luba anchorage on the same night. The ship in question is research/survey
vessel Djibloho, managed by Equatorial Guinea Marina Malabo.
The Equatorial Guinea-flagged vessel
Djibloho was boarded by a group of unknown men. Unconfirmed reports indicate
that two Russian personnel may have been abducted as a result.
Djibloho was boarded by a group of unknown men. Unconfirmed reports indicate
that two Russian personnel may have been abducted as a result.
Local authorities have launched
investigations into both incidents. As per available information, it appears
that the Luba and Malabo incidents could be connected and originate from
matters that have little to share with Gulf of Guinea piracy. As per Malabo,
Luba port has seen no piracy activity over the years, Praesidium International
said.
investigations into both incidents. As per available information, it appears
that the Luba and Malabo incidents could be connected and originate from
matters that have little to share with Gulf of Guinea piracy. As per Malabo,
Luba port has seen no piracy activity over the years, Praesidium International
said.
Deeper analysis indicates that at
least one of the two boats has connections to Lithuanian businessman Vladimir
Stefanov, and several potential lighter relations have even arisen between the
two warships, which may possibly mean that there is more to it than just a
pirate attack.
least one of the two boats has connections to Lithuanian businessman Vladimir
Stefanov, and several potential lighter relations have even arisen between the
two warships, which may possibly mean that there is more to it than just a
pirate attack.
If this latest incident is reported,
the cumulative number of individuals kidnapped in maritime crime incidents
around the area will be 52, Dryad Global stated.
the cumulative number of individuals kidnapped in maritime crime incidents
around the area will be 52, Dryad Global stated.
While the rate of incidents in West
Africa is showing a steady decrease, there is an upward rate in the seriousness
of incidents, especially those including ransom abduction.
Africa is showing a steady decrease, there is an upward rate in the seriousness
of incidents, especially those including ransom abduction.
