A containership came under fire off Nigeria on the same day a bulker was boarded at anchorage in Guinea.
Piracy reporting bodies said a boxship was attacked by a single skiff carrying up to 10 gunmen 30 nautical miles south-east of the Egina Terminal, Nigeria, on 27 March.
Security consultancy Dryad Global said the vessel was the 4,380-teu Lana (built 2010), operated by Marlow Navigation of Cyprus.
Shot were fired, it said, while the vessel increased speed and conducted anti-piracy manoeuvres.
It is understood that the perpetrators were unable to board the vessel and were seen to withdraw, heading east.
The ship and crew were reported to be safe.
Marlow has been contacted for further information.
Security limited
Dryad said this was the first incident to occur in the area in 2020.
"This incident sits in close proximity (30nm SE) to a concentration of serious maritime security incidents that occurred throughout 2019 in the Nigeria-Sao Tome JDZ," it added.
"It is assessed that incidents in this area have been perpetuated by the relative absence of formalised security presence throughout the area."
Pirates operating within this area have relative freedom of movement to conduct operations against vulnerable vessels, the company said.
The international maritime response has however improved recently with the Portuguese Navy establishing a semi-permanent presence out of Santo Antonio.
But Dryad warned security coverage of the area remains limited.
Another security consultancy, Ambrey, said the ship was underway at 20.7 knots from the Douala International Container Terminal, Cameroon, destined for Morocco, when it was attacked.
It tracked an adjustment of course and an increase of speed to 22.1 knots.
A security patrol vessel appeared to have diverted from the Egina terminal to support the vessel, it added.
Further reporting indicated that the 56,000-dwt bulker Anasa (built 2008), operated by Almi Marine Management of Greece, was boarded by raiders on the same day while at the Conakry anchorage area in Guinea.
An unknown number of individuals accessed the accommodation and removed cash, several electronic devices and property of the crew.
