15 Apr 2023 | 07:25 PM UTC
Cote d'Ivoire: Tanker arrives in Abidjan port April 15 following hijacking by pirates in Gulf of Guinea on April 10 /update 1
Crew, vessel safely arrive in Abidjan port, Cote d'Ivoire, April 15, following hijacking by pirates in Gulf of Guinea April 10.
Event
Singapore-flagged tanker Success 9 and its crew were located off the coast of Abidjan and safely taken to the Abidjan port on April 15. The oil tanker disappeared off the coast of Cote d'Ivoire on April 10, some 300 NM (550 km, 340 miles) south-southwest of Abidjan, after being reportedly hijacked. Reports indicate that unidentified hijackers took cargo and the crew's personal belongings before fleeing.
The vessel's distress signal was discovered by the commercial ship Monjasa Sprinter, which reported the location to Companys's Security Officer (CSO), who subsequently informed Côte d’Ivoire maritime authorities. A Côte d’Ivoire Navy patrol vessel was soon deployed and confirmed that all crew and the ship were safe.
A heightened naval presence is likely in the Gulf of Guinea as authorities search for hijackers. Further attacks by any 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. However, the latest hijacking is the second incident in the region in 2023. Pirates previously hijacked a tanker off Pointe-Noire, Republic of the Congo, on March 25. Piracy has historically been centered around 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.
