Maritime News

An unidentified ship was attacked in the morning Jan 21 in Gulf of Guinea, some 75 nm WSW of Bonny. The ship nearest in time and position was container ship en route to Port Harcourt. There’s a lap in AIS track. There are many fishing vessels around, too. Awaiting ship’s ID and more information. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

An unidentified ship was attacked late Jan 20 in Gulf of Guinea, some 55 nm S of Lagos. The ship nearest in time and position was tanker en route to Lagos, hopefully attack was thwarted, if this tanker was the ship in question. The ship didn’t stop and reached Lagos anchorage early in the morning Jan 21. Awaiting ship’s ID and more information. Looks like it was the same gang, which attacked container ship on Jan, is running rampant in waters south of Lagos. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

Indonesian tanker HORIZON MARU was boarded by four armed with sharp weapons robbers early in the morning Jan 21 in Kabil waters, eastern Batam island, Indonesia, Singapore Strait understood crew managed to fight robbers off, and in the process, capture one of the perpetrators. One crew suffered face injury. Captured robber was handed over to police. Tanker alerted ships in the vicinity and police via VHF Ch.16. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

UPDATE: According to information provided by Clearwater Dynamics (Alert), and according to initial information and calculations of FleetMon/Maritime Bulletin, container ship was attacked, but luckily, escaped. Clearwater Alert:It has been reported that an incident has occurred onboard a container ship whilst drifting approximately 80nm south of Cotonou, Benin. The Duty Officer spotted two armed pirates on the main deck, resulting in the main deck lights being switched on and the vessel proceeding to the west at full speed. As the vessel began to make way, a small craft with a ladder was seen departing the scene. All crew are accounted for. Clearwater Alert didn’t identify the ship, but almost undoubtedly it’s a container ship ATLANTIC DISCOVERER. The ship was adrift for some 5 hours in attack area, cause unknown. She resumed sailing shortly after attack, moving W at full speed. As of 1100 UTC Jan 20, she was cruising off Tema, Ghana. Initial alert FleetMon/Maritime Bulletin: A ship attacked in the evening Jan 19 in Gulf of Guinea, SW of Lagos. The ship yet not identified. Nearest in time and position cargo ship changed her course shortly after attack time and headed for nearest port. Awaiting further information. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/

CREW RELEASE MV Duke. Statement issued by Union Maritime Ltd, and V.Ships Management (India) PvT, Ltd Owners and Managers respectively of MT DUKE. London January 19, 2020: Following the attack on tanker DUKE and abduction of 20 crew members on December 15, we can confirm that 19 of the crew members taken hostage were today released by the criminal gang holding them. It is with great regret that we have to report that one valued crew member, an Able Seaman, was evidently taken ill and died shortly after capture. We are seeking further information from those crew members that have been released and a full investigation will be held into the AB demise. All our sympathies and condolences go out to next of kin, family and friends at this tragic time. The AB’s immediate family have been informed and are being supported. All the crew who have been released have undergone medical checks and are reported to be well, given the circumstances of their ordeal. They will be debriefed by the local authorities and then return home to their families with all possible speed where they will continue to receive our full support and counselling.Initial story: Tanker attacked in Gulf of Guinea, all Indian crew kidnapped UPDATES December 16, 2019https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2019/28057/tanker-attacked-gulf-guinea/ Vessel was attacked by pirates in Gulf of Guinea in vicinity 04 00N 002 05E, 130 nm SE of Lome Togo, at 0800 UTC Dec 15. The ship wasn’t identified, but according to available information, it’s tanker DUKE, en route from Luanda to Lome. Reportedly only one crew avoided pirates, the rest were kidnapped. UPDATE Dec 16: As of 0530 UTC Dec 16, AIS off during last 22 hours. V.Ships Ship Management Statement Chennai December 16, 2019 MV Duke IMO 9262259 Attack: Update 1 V.Ships Ship Management (India) PvT Ltd., managers of the oil/chemical product tanker “Duke” confirm that following the attack by pirates 110 miles off Benin on December 15, a Togo naval patrol boat has made contact with the vessel. A further tug with new sea-staff, including a Master, is proceeding to the MV Duke with a Naval escort, to resume command of the Marshal Island flag tanker. It is also confirmed that 20 crew members, all Indian nationals, were abducted from the vessel, leaving one Nigerian cadet on- board. FleetMon Vessel Risk Rating: https://www.fleetmon.com/services/vessel-risk-rating/