Yemen’s Houthis Target MSC Ship in Gulf of Aden
DUBAI, April 25 (Reuters) – Yemen’s Houthis said they targeted the MSC Darwin ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, as the Iran-aligned group resumed attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea...
The captain, chief engineer and second engineer were abducted on Monday when gunmen boarded the Malaysia-flagged Armada Tuah 22 around 50 nautical miles (90 km) off the coast of the Brass region in the Niger Delta, three security sources said.
One of the sailors kidnapped was Indonesian, the sources said. The vessel is a tugboat contracted to supply an offshore oil platform. Nigeria’s navy spokesman gave no comment.
A fishing vessel, Orange 7, was attacked on March 2 in a similar position and one of the crew was killed, sources said.
There has been a surge in piracy attacks off the coast of Africa’s most populous nation this year with gangs showing signs of moving further afield and using more violent tactics.
Oil majors Exxon Mobil and Shell said last month that security was a major factor in making Nigeria one of the most expensive oil-producing countries to operate in.
Oil and shipping companies have to hire crisis management teams, pay higher insurance premiums and face the prospect of ransom payments, as well as brace themselves for damage to their reputations.
The prime suspects for most attacks are Nigerian oil gangs, who already carry out industrial-scale theft of crude oil, known as ‘bunkering’, in the restive onshore Niger Delta swamplands.
(c) 2013 Thomson Reuters, Click For Restrictions
Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.
Join the 105,872 members that receive our newsletter.
Have a news tip? Let us know.
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
Sign UpMaritime and offshore news trusted by our 105,872 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up