A Grimaldi Group ro-ro has reported a suspicious approach by what could be a pirate mothership off Benin in West Africa.
Security consultancy Dryad Global said the 2,500-lane-metre Grande Nigeria (built 2003), operated by Grimaldi Group, reported a suspicious approach 106 nautical miles (196 km) south of Cotonou on Thursday.
Local reporting indicates the vessel spotted a small cargo vessel with two skiffs in tow.
The Grande Nigeria was able to increase speed and continued on its route without further incident.
All vessels in the area should remain highly vigilant as the threat remains, Dryad warned.
Grimaldi Group has been contacted for further information.
Dryad said details regarding the event remained unclear.
"The notable presence of a small cargo vessel with skiffs in tow is commensurate with the actions of a mother vessel, as is the deep offshore location of the incident," the consultancy added.
Mothership or fishing operation?
"However, it should be noted that this activity is often indistinguishable from local fishing traffic and until further details are known it is unclear whether this vessel is acting in support of deep offshore piracy."
In December, a possible pirate mothership was spotted 194 km off the coast of Nigeria following a series of kidnappings.
The piracy reporting body Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade – Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) said "suspicious activity" was reported south-west of the Agbami oil terminal.
A "suspicious mother vessel" towing a speed boat was spotted.
Security consultancy Ambrey confirmed the source of the information was d'Amico Tankers' 75,000-dwt tanker Cielo Rosso (built 2018).
