Another Vessel Hijacked By Pirates in Gulf of Guinea

Reporting indicates that the MV SEA PHANTOM, a Marshall Island flagged Oil/Chemical Tanker (IMO: 9326653) has been boarded by pirates 115 NM off the coast of Kribi, Cameroon. No further information is available at this time. 

AIS tracking indicates the vessel was travelling east at 12.7 knots before carrying out evasive manoeuvres, turning sharply to its starboard. The vessel is now drifting at the time of writing. 

As per Dryad Global, a maritime security firm, this the 9^th offshore incident this year and the fourth recorded offshore boarding. Total incidents throughout West Africa in 2020 showed a partial increase of 12% on those of 2019. Incidents involving failed approaches showed a significant increase within 2020 with 25 such incidents recorded against 10 in 2019.