The Hong Kong-flagged VLCC, Nave Constellation had 19 of its crew kidnapped off the coast of Nigeria, some 66 nautical miles south of Bonny Offshore Terminal, and 24 nautical miles east of the Egina FPSO.
The vessel, which is owned by Navios Maritime and managed by Hong Kong-based Anglo Eastern, was laden and outbound from the Bonny Offshore Terminal, when, unescorted it came under attack. The 19 crew are said to be 18 Indian nationals and one Turkish national.
A spokesperson for the owner and the manager of the tanker commented today: “Navios as Owners and Anglo Eastern as Technical and Crew Managers’s prime concern is the safety and early return of the 19 persons taken by the pirate gang. All the appropriate authorities, including the Flag State, have been alerted and are responding and all the necessary action is being taken to secure their wellbeing and early release.”
According to a further statement from Navios and Anglo Eastern, seven seamen remained on board and were instructed to take the tanker to a safe position to await the arrival of a security vessel and other support craft.
There have been 135 incidents off the coast of West Africa so far this year.
Source:hongkongmaritimehub
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