19 kidnapped from VLCC off Nigeria

Nineteen seafarers are reported to have been kidnapped from the VLCC Nave Constellation 100 nm south of Bonny Island, Nigeria.

According to reports the 296,988 dwt VLCC Nave Constellation was attacked by a group of pirates deep offshore Nigeria on 3 December taking 19 crew hostage and leaving seven on the vessel. The attack occurred

The Nave Constellation is managed by Navios Tankers Management according to the Equasis database.

The incident took place 100nm south of Bonny Island and 105nm of Bioko Island and security consultants Dryad Global believe it is part of a growing trend with six incidents and four kidnappings 30nm of the South Eastern boundary of the Nigerian EEZ within 2019.

“This is further confirmation of a developing trend of incidents that are assessed to be perpetuated by a well-resourced pirate action group, most likely operating from one or more mothership vessels,” Dryad Global said.

“It is assessed that this PAG is aware of the limitations of security prescience beyond the Nigerian EEZ and is seeking to exploit traffic conducting operations at or in support of oil infrastructure located along the north eastern fringes of the Nigerian EEZ and within the 60nm channel between the Nigerian EEZ and Bioko Island.”

Agencies

 

Dhaka/Nasim