IMB warns of rise in piracy attacks off Nigeria’s coast

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7 years ago

THE International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has reported a rise in armed attacks against ships in the Western Africa region since the beginning of this year. “There have been 22 incidents recorded in Nigeria alone, of 66 reported incidents in the first quarter of this year.

“Of the 11 vessels fired upon worldwide, eight were off Nigeria’s coast, including a 300,000 dwt VLCC tanker more than 40 nautical miles off Brass,” the IMB stated in its latest report.

It will be recalled that 12 seafarers manning the FWN Rapide general cargo vessel were taken by pirates off the coast of Nigeria on April 21, Dutch company ForestWave, managers of the vessel, confirmed.

FWN Rapide has meanwhile been moved to a safe position by two of the remaining seafarers, who are reported to be safe and unhurt.

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“ForestWave would like to stress its main priority is to establish contact with the missing seafarers and secure their earliest and secure return. The company’s emergency response team is working around the clock and is liaising with the local and international authorities. ForestWave together with its local organisations are in close contact with the families of the valued seafarers to support them in these difficult times,” the company said.

FWN Rapide is a 2005-built vessel flying the Dutch flag and was on its way from Takoradi, Ghana to Port Harcourt, Nigeria when it came under attack.