Armed pirates have kidnapped four crew members from a Greece-flagged tanker off the coast of Togo, the Hellenic Coast Guard confirmed.
The vessel, identified as the 94,143 dwt Elka Aristotle, was boarded by pirates while anchored near the West African port of Lome on November 4, 2019.
The attack resulted in the kidnapping of four of the ship’s 24 crew members, according to the coast guard.
“The vessel and remaining crew are safe,” European Navigation, the vessel’s operator, said in a separate statement.
Of the kidnapped crewmen, one is Greek, one Georgian and two are Filipino nationals.
“We are doing everything we can to ensure their prompt and safe release,” the Greek company added.
The Hellenic Coast Guard also said that the country’s authorities were “closely monitoring” the issue.
The incident occurred only two days after nine crew members were taken hostage from a bulk carrier off Cotonou, Benin. The anchored vessel was boarded by perpetrators while it was waiting for berth to discharge cargo.
The latest attack comes few days after ine crew members were taken hostage from the bulk carrier MV Bonita in the early morning hours of November 2 off Cotonou, Benin, according to the Norwegian shipowner J.J. Ugland.
The anchored vessel was boarded by pirates while it was waiting for berth to discharge inbound cargo of gypsum, a mineral commonly used as fertiliser, destined for Benin.
The remaining crew notified local authorities and Norway-flagged MV Bonita docked at the port city of Cotonou later the same day, the company said in a statement.
J.J. Ugland noted that its Emergency Response Team “are handling this situation as per contingency plans, and they are in contact with relevant authorities.
“The families of the crewmembers have been contacted and will be kept informed by Ugland,” the company added.
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