A Chinese-owned product tanker has been targeted by pirates off the coast of Nigeria, but the attempt reportedly failed.
The 6,770-dwt Sochima (built 2014) was reportedly attacked in the Gulf of Guinea some 40 nautical miles south of Brass, Nigeria.
It was approached by speedboat with armed men who attempted to take control of the vessel, according to security broker Asket.
The attack is said to have been repelled by an onboard navy security team. No further information available at the time of writing.
Latest AIS data shows the Panama-flagged tanker is no alongside in the port of Lagos.
Earlier this month the captain of a Laskaridis reefer vessel was among three seafarers taken hostage by Nigerian pirates after their ship was hijacked.
In late November a Maersk Line containership has reportedly been attacked by armed pirates off the coast of Nigeria.
A recent report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said Nigeria accounted for 26% of all seafarers taken hostage in the first nine months of 2016.
The IMB said more vessels of all types are being targeted by armed groups along Nigeria's rivers, anchorages and ports, and up to 118 nautical miles from the coast.
“Though many attacks are believed to go unrecorded, IMB received reports of 31 incidents in the first nine months of 2016, up from 12 in the same period last year,” it said.
“In other Nigerian attacks so far this year, 13 people have been taken hostage onboard, and 29 kidnapped for ransom. In one boarding in July, five crew were captured and the chief officer shot in the head.”
