30 Dec 2021 | 02:10 PM UTC
Equatorial Guinea: Pirates board a fishing vessel and kidnap crew near Mbini, Dec. 30
Suspected pirates board fishing vessel and kidnap crew 13 NM west of Mbini, Equatorial Guinea, Dec. 30. Piracy threat remains elevated.
Event
Suspected pirates boarded a Chinese-owned fishing vessel in the Gulf of Guinea early Dec. 30, killing at least one person and kidnapping six crew members. The kidnap victims include Malian and Ghanaian nationals. The incident reportedly occurred at around 13 NM (24 km/15 miles) west-southwest of Mbini, Equatorial Guinea. There have been no ransom demands reported at the time of writing; the incident is likely financially motived.
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.
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.
