The vessel ‘Barents Sea’, a Singapore-flagged Aframax tanker was seized by private military with k-47 machine guns in Cameroon. The vessel along with 26 crewmembers was seized at the Sonara refinery in Limbe, according to Singapore-based ship management company Eastern Pacific Shipping.
Mainly, the company supports that the action was conducted by local charterer DSC Marine in clear violation of the law.
According to the company’s statement the action is a reflection of unprovoked aggression towards the company.
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In addition, Eastern Pacific Shipping urges the Cameroonian government to enforce its security forces to o safely and immediately release the vessel and the 26 crew on board in accordance with international law.
Moreover, the company stated that their priority is the safe release of their crew, which includes nationals from India, Ukraine, China, Philippines and Turkey.
Concluding, no reports of physical injuries have been reported up to now.