Tag: Nigeria

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has started search rescue operations for the abducted 12 crew members onboard 'MV Glarus' which was hijacked off Bonny Island in Rivers State to ensure that they are found and released unconditionally.

Pirates kidnapped 12 crew from a Swiss merchant vessel on Saturday, 22 September in Nigeria, Massoel Shipping the ship’s operator informed. The ship was traveling between Lagos and the Port Harcourt. The attack took place about 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island.

The Panamanian-flagged tanker 'Pantalena' has docked at a port in Togo, after missing for over a week along with its 19 crew, the Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Friday. Contact with the ship was lost on 14 August, while it was sailing about 17 miles off Gabon, in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency Dr. Dakuku Peterside informed that Nigeria will continue to seek continued technical cooperation and support from the IMO. This aims to establish a sustainable capacity to be a competitive maritime nation.

A total of 35 seafarers were kidnapped for ransom in the Gulf of Guinea in the first half of 2018, according to a new paper issued by EOS Risk Group. 95% of attacks on merchant vessels in the region during this period occurred Between Brass and Port Harcourt, within 60nm of the shore, the report reads. 

A shipping industry anti-corruption project, led by the private maritime sector and Nigerian authorities, has been completed with positive outcomes. The project aimed for port calls without demands for in-kinds payments, harassment or the threat of illicit delays.

The Nigerian Ports Authority will restore the services of the four shipping companies, including Maersk Line and Cosco, whose operations were suspended as they did not comply with the directive of acquiring and operating holding bays for their containers. The companies have been given two weeks, beginning from July 20.

The Nigerian Ports Authority announced a ten-day suspension of the services of Maersk Line, Cosco Shipping, APS and Lansal. These companies did not comply with the requirement by NPA which said that companies must acquire and operate holding bays. The suspension took effect from Saturday, July 14th.

In order to limit maritime crime on the Gulf of Guinea waters, and especially piracy and sea robbery, the Nigerian Navy along with France, China, Portugal, Cameroon, Ghana and Togo conducted a maritime exercise named Exercise EKU KEGBE, of which 12 Nigerian Navy ships and ships from the other countries were deployed.

While at anchor, the duty AB during routine rounds noticed a rope attached to the portside anchor chain leading to a boat positioned along the starboard side of the ship. The duty AB sighted six to seven persons on board this boat, and immediately alerted the bridge.