Gulf of Guinea: Crew members kidnapped off the coast of Benin released April 14 /update 1

Event

Pirates have released the kidnapped foreign crew of a vessel that was boarded in the Gulf of Guinea, March 11. The announcement was made by the parent company of the vessel April 14. Pirates kidnapped 15 of the vessel's 21 crew 214 NM (396 km) south of Cotonou, Benin. The vessel was en route to Lagos, Nigeria, from Latvia. The company did not release information regarding circumstances leading to the release of the victims.

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.