M/V Liberty Grace, image: Liberty Maritime
gCaptain sources report this afternoon that the M/V Liberty Grace, 50,601 dwt US-flagged bulk carrier vessel with 22 personnel on board, including two U.S. Merchant Marine Academy cadets, was attacked offshore Togo at 0150Z yesterday morning.
Three skiffs approached the vessel on two separate occasions, but according to our source, were “fought” off with fire hoses. Nobody was hurt in the attack and the vessel continued on in accordance with its planned schedule.
According to AIS data, the vessel is currently in Lome, Togo.
According to a report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB)
“The Duty Officer directed the ship search light towards the skiff, raised the alarm, activated the fire hoses and called the Togo navy. It was observed that the robbers, with hoods pulled over their heads, were attempting to board the vessel using a pole and hook. Three flares were fired in the direction of the skiff. Seeing the crew alertness the robbers aborted the attempt and moved away.”
Kidnappings of sailors on merchant ships in waters off Nigeria and nearby countries surged in the first half as pirates attacked a broader range of vessels and sought targets farther out at sea.
Pirates operating in the Gulf of Guinea kidnapped 30 crew in the period, compared with three seized worldwide in 2012’s first six months, the IMB said in a report earlier this week. Attackers previously tended to seek out ships involved in the regional oil industry and now are targeting container ships and other merchant vessels, it said.
Sign up for gCaptain’s newsletter and never miss an update
Essential maritime and offshore news, insights, and updates delivered daily straight to your inbox
Two separate US delegations are in New Delhi this week to hold talks with their India counterparts, seeking to repair bilateral ties even as a trade deal remains elusive.
The Group of Seven countries and the European Union are in talks to replace a price cap on Russian oil exports with a full maritime services ban in a bid to reduce the oil revenue that helps finance Russia's war in Ukraine, six sources familiar with the matter said.
A small city perched on San Francisco Bay poses a big obstacle to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s plans to prevent gasoline price spikes in a state that already pays more at the pump than any other.
Subscribe to gCaptain Daily and stay informed with the latest global maritime and offshore news
Essential news coupled with the finest maritime content sourced from across the globe.
Sign Up
Join The Club
