The Republic of Congo: Suspected pirates board tanker off Pointe-Noire March 25

Event

Suspected pirates boarded the Danish-owned Monjasa Reformer, an oil tanker, 140 NM (260 km, 161 miles) southeast of Pointe-Noire late March 25. Reports indicate that at least five armed individuals boarded the vessel from a skiff, causing the crew to enter the armored citadel. There has been no contact with the vessel since early March 26. Authorities confirmed March 28 that there had been 16 members of crew aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. Further information is not currently available.

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 The 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.