Shipowners have been warned of a growing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea following two attacks on Monday, including a reported kidnapping.
Piracy reporting body MDAT-GoG has said there is a heightened risk for vessels after a containership raid was thwarted at the southern edge of the Nigerian exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Maritime security company Dryad Global named the vessel as Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC)'s 1,893-teu MSC Lucia (built 1985).
The vessel was boarded by pirates 190 miles (305 km) south-west of Bonny while travelling at 14 knots. No security personnel were on board, but crew made it to the citadel safely, and the gang later left the vessel.
The ship was heading from Lome in Togo to Douala in Cameroon.
Based on AIS routing, the vessel carried out evasive manoeuvres during the attack.
The ship was later observed drifting in the same position.
Help from the Russian navy
A Russian Navy vessel was nearby and provided support to the boxship.
Maritime security company Africa Risk Compliance (ARC) also reported an 87-metre offshore support vessel (OSV) had been boarded late on Monday night, 50 miles south-west of Bioko Island in the Equatorial Guinea EEZ.
The ship is currently drifting with AIS still on, and three crew members were said to have been abducted.
ARC said the MSC incident likely indicates that the gunmen will return northwards towards the Niger Delta.
"However, all vessels in the region should remain extremely vigilant in case pirates have instead moved further south or west," the company added.
A tug boat, described as having a white superstructure and grey hull, had earlier been sighted deep offshore.
The vessel reportedly had no name and was not transmitting on AIS.
ARC said this follows a report of a "rusty" tug seen on 19 October, around 15 miles to the west.
"It is likely the same vessel, with the colour of the vessel now confirmed with supporting imagery," ARC added. "Vessels should steer clear of this area and report any suspicious activity to authorities."
Prevailing trend
Security company Diaplous Group said the latest incident continues a prevailing trend of piracy incidents in the waters of Gulf of Guinea.
"There is a considerably high risk prevailing in the wider region, particularly following the recent warning issued by MDAT-GoG regarding increased piracy threat in the region west of Libreville [Gabon]," the company added.
"Vessels operating within the area are highly advised to exercise maximum vigilance and apply mitigation measures, where possible," Diaplous said.
