Tag: kidnapping

Two Somali pirates were sentenced to 30 years in prison in connection with the 977-day hostage taking of an American journalist in Somalia. 

According to International news, six seafarers have been finally released by pirates, after they have kidnapped them from a general cargo vessel on 30th June 2023.

Panama-flag vessel was boarded late on the evening of 30 June, resulting in six crew members have been abducted from a general cargo ship anchored off Douala in Cameroon.

Republic of Liberia has issued a Marine Security Advisory, for shipowners, operators, Company Security Officers and masters to inform them that Piracy, armed robbery, Kidnapping for Ransom (KFR) continues to be significant threats to all vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG).

PetroTal, a Canadian-based company, said that its vessels and crews are coming under attack by the indigenous population as it works to move oil and supplies along the rivers in Peru’s Amazon region.

According to international news, three seafarers who were kidnapped off the bulk carrier Grebe Bulker in early May, have apparently been released after weeks in captivity.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) has released its Annual Report on acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships where piracy incidents are documented and examined globally and regionally. 

The Monjasa tanker, which was hijacked by pirates six days ago, was found and secured yesterday off Sao Tome and Principe, but some crewmates have been kidnapped.

The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill imposing jail terms of at least 15 years for paying a ransom to free someone who has been kidnapped, and made the crime of abduction punishable by death in cases where victims die.

Mr. Michael Howlett, Director, International Maritime Bureau, ICC Commercial Crime Services, outlines the key challenges with regards to maritime piracy, highlighting that crew kidnapping in GoG remains the biggest area of concern. Furthermore, considering that available resources to deal with maritime crime are limited, incident reporting remains critical.