Gulf of Guinea: Suspected pirate hijacking of a fishing vessel 83 NM southwest of Port Gentil, Feb. 7

Event

A suspected pirate hijacking has been reported on a Gabonese-flagged fishing vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, Feb. 7. The vessel's 14-person crew comprising Chinese nationals is currently unaccounted for and have possibly been kidnapped. The incident reportedly occurred approximately 83 NM from Port Gentil, Gabon.

Context

The threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea's coastal waters is severe and attacks have continued at an expedited rate in early 2021. Pirates regularly target commercial ships, bulk carriers, cargo ships, and their crews. Pirates have traditionally operated out of Nigeria's Niger Delta Region; however, piracy in the Gulf of Guinea continues to spread, with several new hotspots emerging in recent months, including as far south as the Exclusive Economic Zone of Gabon. Although the waters off Nigeria will likely remain the most prone to piracy and maritime kidnapping incidents in the foreseeable future, incidents in areas previously considered at low risk may face an elevated threat.

Advice

Exercise a high degree of caution if operating in the Gulf of Guinea. Ship operators should implement best management practices to mitigate piracy-associated threats. Companies should regularly review their ship security assessment and plan under the International Ship and Facility Security Code (ISPS), particularly in piracy-prone areas. Companies are advised to maintain strict anti-piracy watches and report all pirate activity, including both actual and attempted attacks, as well as suspicious sightings, to local naval authorities.