..Records 6 Attacks In A Week
Yemisi Izuora
The Gulf of Guinea, of which Nigerian territorial waters is the largest part, is fast becoming most dangerous in the world as report indicated that a vessel, MT NEW RANGER (IMO 9328326) was boarded by the pirates 50nm SE of Agbami Terminal and 50nm SW of Egina Terminal.
The attack was the 6th in just one week.
The vessel, according to the report by Dryad Global was attacked on December 6 at 0300 UTC. The crew are reportedly mustered in the citadel, with 4 pirates onboard.
Oriental News Nigeria reports that a French flagged MT VERRAZANE (IMO 9649146) was on December 5, approached approximately 210nm South of Lagos. The alarm was raised and the accompanying security escort vessel (SEV) was vectored towards the approaching speedboat. The perpetrators abandoned the approach on spotting the SEV.
The MT NEW RANGER attack is the 69th incident in the JWC HRA in 2020. It is also the 6th incident in the HRA this week and the 3rd incident in 36 hours. There have been a surge of incidents in the past 5 weeks, resulting in an increased risk rating for the Gulf of Guinea HRA to CRITICAL on 11th November.
The previous 5 attacks in the region this week have been unsuccessful. Therefore as the rate of failed attacks increases, the perpetrators are highly likely to increase in desperation.
This is likely to be because of the increased risk to themselves from Naval counter piracy activity, but from logistical strain also. Heightened desperation also means that attempts against vessels are highly likely to continue, further supported by a sustained period of favourable weather. Smaller vessels and those of a vulnerable design are increasingly prone to opportune targeting.
The NEW RANGER has previously been involved in incidents in the Gulf of Guinea in June and September 2011, January 2015 and most recently 5th December 2020, approximately 170nm west of this latest incident.
Vessels are advised to operate within this area at a heightened posture maintaining the highest levels of vigilance whilst implementing full hardening / mitigation in accordance with BMP West Africa where possible.
In addition the IMB advises that vessels remain at least 200nm-250nm offshore where possible.