A second pirate attack in two days has failed in the Gulf of Guinea after a Greek suezmax came under fire on Friday.
Security consultancy Ambrey reported that criminals in a white speedboat approached the 159,000-dwt Minerva Evropi (built 2018) 205 nautical miles off Bayelsa in Nigeria.
They fired shots but the ship performed evasive manoeuvres to deter the attack, and the pirates gave up and left the area.
Owner Minerva Marine confirmed the attack to TradeWinds.
A spokesman said the gunmen tried twice to board the vessel, but were unsuccessful.
No injuries were reported and all crew members are safe, he added.
The tanker had been underway at 10.5 knots from Ceuta anchorage, Spain, to Qua Iboe in Nigeria with an estimated 13.90-metre freeboard.
Ambrey tracked an increase in speed to 14.7 knots following the approach.
This was the third attack in three days off Nigeria and followed another failed attempt to board the 463,652-cbf Laskaridis-owned reefer Cool Girl (built 1999) 95 nautical miles off Bayelsa on Thursday.
Failed attack
Gunmen again fired on this vessel, but armed guards returned fire and thwarted the attack.
Laskaridis told TradeWinds: "It is true that there was an attempt but because of ship’s speed and guards on board who shot back at the pirates ... did not allow them to come close to our ship. Everybody on board safe."
Security consultancy Dryad Global said the latest incident continued the increasing trend of raids in the waters of the Gulf of Guinea in the latter part of 2020.
The company rates the risk as critical. Attacks are highly likely to be carried out daily.
A total of 118 seafarers have been kidnapped in 24 incidents in the region this year. Attacks have ramped up since the monsoon season ended in October.
