MPA Singapore tweeted this {photograph} of Fortune 9 safely at anchor in Abidjan
A Singapore-registered tanker boarded by unidentified individuals on April 10 and lacking since then has been discovered, with the crew all secure. The hijacked tanker, the 6,135 dwt merchandise tanker Fortune 9, is operated by Fortune Ship Management, part of Singapore’s Hai Soon Group and had a crew of 20 on board when it was boarded, about 300 nautical miles off the Abidjan Coast, Cote d’lvoire.
Since then, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has been coordinating with the ship proprietor and multinational businesses to seek for the ship, together with regional safety forces, the French navy, coast guards and maritime administrations from Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. All close by and passing industrial ships have been additionally cued to assist in the search.
On April 15, at round 1700 hrs (Singapore time), MPA was up to date that the hijacked tanker had been situated off the coast of Abidjan.
A industrial ship, Monjasa Sprinter, that was passing by had earlier picked up a misery name from Success 9. The grasp of Monjasa Sprinter then reported the situation of Success 9 to his Company Security Officer (CSO, who up to date MPA. A Côte d’Ivoire Navy patrol vessel was deployed to substantiate and board Success 9. All crew have been secure and in good well being. The ship has since safely arrived at Abidjan port.
MPA has suggested all Singapore-registered ships to train warning and implement the rules within the Best Management Practices West Africa (BMP WA), when working within the area to mitigate piracy-associated threats.
The Korean Foreign Ministry studies a Korean crewmember aboard the hijacked tanker as saying the pirates deserted the vessel after stealing the cargo and seafarers’ private belongings.
Though nonetheless all too frequent, piracy and armed theft exercise has, actually, continued to lower within the Gulf of Guinea, an space which had change into a relative hotbed for this crime in latest historical past. According to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center, 5 incidents have been reported within the first quarter 2023 in comparison with eight in 2022 and 16 in 2021.
Despite these enhancements, the IMB Piracy Reporting Center is asking for coastal response businesses and worldwide navies to take care of efforts within the area.
IMB Director Michael Howlett mentioned: “We emphasize the need for continued, robust and coordinated regional and international naval presence to act as a deterrent to prevent and respond to piracy – especially considering nearly 85% of international trade is transported via the sea and it is the seafarers who need to be safeguarded.”
