The crew of the 4,496TEU Maersk Cardiff have twice thwarted pirate attacks on the vessel in the Gulf of Guinea, once at 8pm on 13 January and again at midnight of the same day, on both occasions the crew retreated to the citadel to await the arrival of the Nigerian security forces.
[s2If is_user_logged_in()]Dryad Global, security firm reported that all crew were safe and that the Nigerian security vessel is now along side the Maersk Cardiff with the security forces making certain that the pirates have left the vessel before giving the crew the all clear to emerge from the citadel.
A Dryad Global spokesman, told Container News, that “It is unclear whether there has been any damage to the ship, it is not uncommon for pirates who are unable to capture crew to go and steal whatever they can and smash up the bridge, but if there is no damage the vessel will be on its way.”
Dryad Global reported that there has been “a cluster of incidents” throughout 2020 an area south of Agbami and Egina Terminals. “Since 1 December 2020 there has been 17 incidents in the Gulf of Guinea HRA, 10 of which were in this area including five boardings, two approaches, two incidents of shots fired and one attack.”
This surge in incidents has led to the risk rating for the Gulf of Guinea HRA being raised to CRITICAL on 11th November. “
“Vessels are advised to operate within this area at a heightened posture maintaining the highest levels of vigilance whilst implementing full hardening / mitigation in accordance with BMP West Africa where possible. In addition the IMB [the International Maritime Bureau] advises that vessels remain at least 200nm-250nm offshore where possible,” said a Dryad Global advisory.[/s2If]
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