US. MARAD issued a Maritime Advisory, providing guidance to U.S. flagged operators with vessels transiting the Gulf of Guinea (GoG). As pirates/ armed groups operating in the GoG region continue to carry out attacks on vessels, using automatic weapons, US MARAD strongly recommends operators to forward this Advisory to their ships.
Firstly, MARAD informs that hijackings of tankers for cargo theft (refined petroleum products), ship’s property, robbery of crew, and kidnappings for ransom (KFR) continue to be the most common threats. U.S. flagged operators with ships operating in or through the GoG Voluntary Reporting Area designated on Maritime Security Chart Q6114 should transit with extreme caution and vigilance.
In addition, the majority of KFR operations in the Gulf of Guinea occur predominately around the Niger Delta with vessels (tankers, tugs, offshore supply vessels, and cargo vessels) frequently being targeted due to their high value foreign crewmembers. Pirates have used motherships to support operations up to 150 nautical miles offshore. Pirates/armed KFR groups have been known to fire upon targeted vessels prior to attempting to board them. KFR groups generally kidnap two to six high value crewmembers to include the master, chief engineer, and any Western crewmembers. Kidnapped crewmembers are normally taken ashore in the Niger Delta region, where KFR groups demand ransom payments in exchange for the crewmembers safe return.
Additional information on this threat, including specific recommendations for vessels transiting the area, is available on the NATO Shipping Centre website. U.S. flag vessels anchoring, transiting or operating in this region must comply with their U.S. Coast Guard approved Vessel Security Plans.
A Ship Hostile Action Report (SHAR) should be sent to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in accordance with Pub 117, at the Submit Report link, as soon as possible following an incident or suspected activity (including apparent surveillance being conducted by small vessels/boats).
Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult the Department of State Travel Warnings for this area.
