Pirates Kidnap 15 from Chemical Tanker in Gulf of Guinea

Pirates have kidnapped fifteen crew members from a chemical tanker in the Gulf of Guinea.

De Poli Shipmanagement confirmed that its vessel, Davide B, was attacked about 210 nautical miles south of Cotonou, Benin at approximately 1500 UTC on Thursday.

Initially, the company reported that contact had been established crew who took shelter in the citadel of the ship. An update said fifteen crew members had been kidanpped.

Six others remain on board and are reported safe and unhurt. Security personnel were on scene attending the ship.

“De Poli Shipmanagement are greatly concerned about the attack on its vessel and seafarers. The company’s main priority now is to establish contact with the missing crew in order to secure their earliest and safe release. De Poli Shipmanagement’s Emergency Response Team are liaising with all relevant authorities who have been notified immediately after the incident which occurred at appx. 15.00 UTC on Thursday. The company are in close contact with the families of the seafarers to support them in this extremely difficult time,” the company said in a statement.

The MT Davide B is a 2016 built chemical tanker which was on a commercial voyage from Riga, Latvia to Lagos, Nigeria at the time of the attack. The vessel is flying the Maltese flag.

“For the time being De Poli Shipmanagement will not be providing any further information in order not to jeopardize the safety of those involved,” the company added.

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