Scorpio Tanker Ransacked by Pirates Off West Africa

STI Hammersmit. Photo: MarineTraffic.com/Ria Maat

A product tanker was attacked by a group of armed pirates on Monday while at an anchorage off the coast of Guinea in West Africa. 

The IMB Piracy Reporting Centre reported the tanker was at anchor at the Conakry Anchorage when it was boarded by four armed robbers after midnight on September 17. 

During the attack, the pirates fired at the bridge windows and gained access into the accommodation. As the crew locked themselves in the ship’s citadel, the pirates ransacked the ship’s cabins and escaped with personal belongings. A navy boat later arrived to provide assistance.

The tanker has been identified as the 2015-built STI Hammersmith, belonging to Scorpio Tankers.

AIS ship tracking data showed the vessel arrived from Las Palmas, Spain and she remained at the Conakry Anchorage as of Wednesday.

All crew were reported safe in the incident.