Twelve seafarers have been kidnapped by pirates from a Massoel Shipping-owned bulker off the coast of Nigeria on Saturday.
The 46,509-dwt Glarus (built 2001), which was carrying a cargo of wheat, was traveling between Lagos and Port Harcourt when it was boarded.
The attack happened around 45 nautical miles south west of Bonny Island. Seven of the 19 crew are said to have avoided being kidnapped.
“The company is working with the authorities and specialists to secure the speedy and safe release of those being held,” Massoel said in its statement.
“It is understood the pirate gang boarded the Glarus by means of long ladders and cut the razor wire on deck to gain access to the vessel and eventually the bridge.
“The safety and well-being of those taken hostage is the first and absolute priority of Massoel Shipping.”
Eastern Europeans on board
SeeNews cited the Slovenian foreign ministry as saying a Slovenian national was among the men seized.
It added that Massoel has engaged a team to secure the release of the 12.
"Massoel Shipping has engaged a professionally qualified team authorised to handle the matter," the foreign ministry said in a brief statement, adding that the shipowner is in contact with the families of the crew members.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) tweeted on Sunday that pirates have kidnapped 12 men.
Croatia's foreign ministry told SeeNews it has received confirmation that a Croatian national was on board the seized ship.
"The ministry of foreign and European affairs, through the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Bern, is in constant contact with the crisis management of the Swiss foreign ministry and the shipping company," it told SeeNews in an emailed statement.
Reuters said seafarers from Bosnia, Ukraine and Romania were also kidnapped.
Switzerland’s foreign ministry said it had learned from the company that none of the crew members were from Switzerland itself, reported Reuters.
Nigeria’s navy and maritime police said they were unaware of the kidnapping and would investigate.
