Conflicting reports surrounding a third boarding of a Greek handysize tanker by pirates off Nigeria within 10 days have now been resolved, TradeWinds has learned.
Piracy reporting bodies said the 12,950-dwt New Ranger (built 2007) was the subject of yet another attack by gunmen in the Gulf of Guinea, 160 nautical miles (296 km) south-west of Brass on Tuesday.
But the incident was reported as a false alarm by security sources on Wednesday.
However, security consultancy Ambrey told TradeWinds one "unauthorised person" was reportedly seen on CCTV during the attack.
The suspects have been described in an International Maritime Organization report as "pirates".
The crew retreated to the citadel while the vessel maintained its speed and course.
The Protank Management ship was also boarded off Nigeria on 5 and 6 December.
Citadel thwarts raids
These attacks were thwarted by the crew mustering in the vessel's citadel.
The tanker was also subjected to pirate attacks in 2011 and 2015 off West Africa.
Greece's Protank told TradeWinds it had no comment on the matter.
Since the New Ranger attacks, Nigerian pirates have abducted another 13 crew members.
A gang raided the 12,000-dwt general cargoship Stevia (built 1992), 52 km off Brass, kidnapping eight crew.
The 711-dwt general cargoship Cap Saint Georges (built 1973), was boarded by gunmen 52 km south-east of Bonga and five seafarers were seized.
The abducted crew were three Cameroonians, a Ghanaian and one Sierra Leonean.
The two kidnappings earlier in the week involved smaller, more vulnerable vessels nearer to shore, after a series of largely unsuccessful boardings of tankers further out to sea.
