Gulf of Guinea: Suspected pirate boarding of a cargo vessel 192 NM southeast of Accra, Jan. 30

Event

A suspected pirate boarding has been reported on a cargo vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, Jan. 30. The incident reportedly occurred during the early morning 192 NM from Accra, Ghana. The vessel was reportedly en route to Lagos, Nigeria, from the Canary Islands. The condition of the crew is currently unclear, however, some reports indicate they are mustered in the vessel's citadel.

Context

The Gulf of Guinea's coastal waters constitute a central shipping lane and experience a high piracy threat. 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.