Nigeria: Tanker located off Port Harcourt March 30 following suspected hijacking /update 1

Event

An oil tanker that disappeared off the Republic of the Congo after being boarded by suspected pirates March 25 has been located 86 NM (159 km, 99 miles) south of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, March 30. The vessel is reported as safe although some of the crew, reportedly three, have been taken off the vessel.

Reports on March 25 indicated that at least five armed individuals boarded from a skiff while the vessel was sitting idle 140 NM (260 km, 162 miles) southwest of Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo. The crew of 16 sought shelter in the vessel's citadel. The vessel was subsequently located 604 NM (1120 km, 700 miles) west of Pointe-Noire March 28, although no contact was made with the vessel.

A heightened naval presence is likely in the vicinity of the incident as authorities search for the vessel. Further attacks by the group responsible are possible in the near to medium term.

Context

Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and off West Africa has reduced dramatically since its peak in 2020-21, when pirates regularly targeted commercial ships, bulk carriers, cargo ships, and their crews. This incident marks the first incident of this type in the region in 2023, and the first successful boarding off Republic of Congo since 2018. Piracy has historically been centered further north, with most associated groups operating out of Nigeria's Niger Delta region.

Advice

Exercise a high degree of caution if operating in the Gulf of Guinea. Ship operators should implement Best Management Practices West Africa (BMP WA) 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.