Pirates Board Monjasa Bunker Tanker
On Tuesday, the 13,700-dwt product carrier Monjasa Reformer, a bunker tanker owned by Denmark’s Monjasa and managed by Montec Ship Management, was attacked by pirates. The attack took place 260 km off Pointe Noir, Republic of Congo.
Crew Secure in Citadel During Attack
All 16 crew members were secure inside the ship’s citadel during the piracy attack. However, communication channels onboard are currently down, making it difficult for authorities to establish communication with the tanker.
MDATGoG Reports Spotted Tanker in International Waters
The Monjasa Reformer has been located in international waters approximately 470 nautical miles away from the piracy spot by the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea (MDATGoG), a reporting body. However, there is still no news about the safety and location of the crew members.
No Damage to Ship or Cargo Reported
There have been no damage reports to the ship or cargo. The Monjasa Reformer is employed in West Africa as part of Monjasa’s global marine fuels operations and is currently carrying various oil products.
Waters Off West Africa Remain Vulnerable to Piracy
The waters off Africa’s west coast were once considered the world’s piracy hotspot. However, criminal activity has significantly fallen since 2020. According to the International Maritime Bureau, only 19 piracy incidents were reported in 2021. Nevertheless, authorities urge shipowners to continue to be cautious in the area.
Antipiracy Policy in Place
Monjasa Group has an antipiracy policy in place that outlines measures to be taken during and after a possible assault. The company also operates its vessels with security teams on board and required security measures are maintained at all ports.
Monjasa Reformer Joins a List of Tankers Targeted by Pirates
The Monjasa Reformer is the latest tanker to be targeted by pirates off the coast of Africa. In October 2018, the Monjasa tanker Anuket Amber was also attacked in the same general vicinity near Port PointeNoire. The crew was taken hostage but released more than two months later in January 2019.
Pirates Threaten Trade in West Africa
The Gulf of Guinea remains an area of concern for piracy, endangering seafarers, and threatening trade. Despite joint efforts of coastal countries and European states to stem piracy, attacks continue in the region. Since the beginning of this year, two attacks have been reported in the area, including the Monjasa Reformer’s incident.
Search Ongoing for Missing Tanker
Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade Gulf of Guinea (MDATGoG) has issued a ‘missing ship notice’ and is asking mariners for assistance in locating the missing vessel. The search operation continues to locate the missing tanker carrying various oil products.
In summary, piracy incidents in Africa’s west have seen a fall in recent years; however, attacks still pose a significant threat to trade and maritime security. As authorities continue their efforts to tackle piracy in the region, shipowners and crew are advised to take all necessary precautions when travelling through African waters.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
