Pirates have released six Russian seafarers kidnapped from the containership MSC Mandy during an attack off the coast of Benin earlier this month. Russia’s TASS news agency reports their release has been confirmed by the Russian embassy in Nigeria. The Panamanian-flagged MSC Mandy with 24 crew members onboard came under attack by armed pirates on January 2, 2019 as it was … [Read more...]
Eni, Shell to Face Trial in Italy in $1 Billion Bribery Case
By Chiara Albanese, Sergio Di Pasquale and Kelly Gilblom (Bloomberg) -- Eni SpA, Royal Dutch Shell Plc and senior executives will face trial over a $1.1 billion bribery scandal in Nigeria, an Italian judge ruled on Wednesday. The trial will start on March 5 in Milan, judge Giusy Barbara told reporters. The long-awaited decision, initially expected several months ago, will … [Read more...]
China To Pump $770 Million Into Another African Port
by Saliou Samb (Reuters) China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) signed a $770 million contract with Guinea's government on Monday to upgrade the port in the capital, Conakry, expanding Chinese economic influence in the West African iron and bauxite producer. Under the contact, CHEC, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, will construct three … [Read more...]
Pirates Storm Container Ship Off Guinea
CONAKRY, Sept 21 (Reuters) - Pirates stormed a container ship off the coast of Guinea on Wednesday, making off with money and some of its cargo but leaving the crew unharmed, the government said. They fired guns and briefly held the crew hostage while they were looting the ship named Wendok, Guinea government spokesman Albert Camara said by telephone. He did not have … [Read more...]
Pirates in Gulf of Guinea Switch to Kidnapping Crew Amid Oil Price Slump
By Jonathan Saul LONDON, May 3 (Reuters) - Pirate gangs in West Africa are switching to kidnapping sailors and demanding ransom rather than stealing oil cargoes as low oil prices have made crude harder to sell and less profitable, shipping officials said on Tuesday. Attacks in the Gulf of Guinea - a significant source of oil, cocoa and metals for world markets - have … [Read more...]