Update on 12 Apr 2023:
The navy office MDAT-GOG sent a warning as attached, informing:
- A MT boarded by unknown number of persons in position 00°07’14N 004°34’14W (approximately 300 nm south of Abidjan) on 10 Apr 2023.
- The vessel is unlocated and not transmitting on AIS.
MDAT GOG requests Masters within the vicinity report any sighting of the vessel or suspicious activity. Vessel is believed to be a red hulled tanker with a blue funnel with white and red logo on the side. Last known position 00°07´14N 004°34´14W (approximately 300NM South of ABIDJAN).
MDAT-GOG strongly recommends that:
the seafaring community (all Shipping) transiting this area increase their vigilance and retain an enhanced local surveillance and apply BMP WA procedures.
The IMO Secretary-General issued a statement on piracy incidents in Gulf of Guinea on 12 April 2023, highlighting:
“I am deeply concerned over the recent kidnapping of six crew members from the MV Monjasa Reformer on 25 March 2023 and reports of an ongoing incident involving a tanker in the Gulf of Guinea.
IMO recognizes the progress that has been made since 2021 in the collective efforts to combat the threat of piracy and the resulting reduction in the number of pirate attacks. IMO urges continued sustainable support to the important work of the regional navies and entities within the Yaoundé Architecture to protect seafarers and to the operational piracy response from the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (SHADE) and the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, in keeping with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2634 on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
I would like to appreciate the regional and international efforts to respond to this disturbing incident. I wish to reiterate that the ongoing threat must be addressed cohesively, involving all relevant actors and including regional entities.”
Update on 03 Apr 2023:
It was reported by the Navy that:
- On 25/03, Tanker MT MONJASA REFORMER (IMO: 9255878) was hijacked 140NM from Pointe Noire, released on 30/03. 6 crew members have been abducted and part of the cargo has been stolen.
According to the Navy’s MDAT-GoG report on 26 Mar 2023, a vessel in position: 052935S 0093400E (approximately 140NM West of Pointe Noire) reported being boarded by 5 armed persons who approached the vessel from 1 skiff (see the location on map here).
The navy source further updated on 30 Mar that tanker MONJASA REFORMER was located at Latitude: 02°52´N and Longitude: 006°59´E (see the location on map here).
Investigation report on MT MONJASA REFORMER would be provided when it is available from the navy sources.
