Reporting indicates that that the Hong Kong-flagged oil products tanker MV SEAFRONTIER was approached by a single skiff some 3 nm from the vessel, while underway 164 nm southwest of Agbami, Nigeria. This the 6th offshore incident this year and the fourth recorded approach.
The vessel was reportedly under security escort when approached. The vessel increased its speed from 13.7 to 14.2 knots, before reducing speed once again as the incident came to a conclusion.
The vessel and crew are reported safe, according to information provided by maritime security intelligence firm Dryad Global.
Last week, the Liberian-flagged container ship MV Mozart was boarded approximately 98nm NW of Sao Tome. 15 crew were kidnapped with one crew member killed.
Total incidents throughout West Africa in 2020 showed a partial increase of 12% on those of 2019.
IMB’s latest yearly piracy report recorded the highest ever number of crew kidnappings for the Gulf of Guinea in 2020, with 130 crew members taken in 22 separate incidents. 96.3% of kidnaps were reported in GoG and all three vessel hijackings and nine of the eleven vessels fired upon reported were related to the region.
In addition, incidents involving failed approaches showed a significant increase within 2020 with 25 such incidents recorded against 10 in 2019.
While unsuccessful, Dryad advises all vessels in the area to maintain a heightened level of caution.