Benin Republic: Suspicious vessel follows bulk carrier off Benin 24 August
A bulk carrier reported being followed by a suspicious craft off the coast of Benin. The small craft was sighted at 1050 hrs local time around 51 nm south of Cotonou, and followed the carrier at a distance of 2 nm for around 25 minutes before moving away.
PVI Analysis: Benin’s proximity to Nigeria, the epicentre of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, leaves it vulnerable to pirate attacks. The majority of pirates appear to emanate from Nigeria as most attacks in West Africa take place off the Nigerian coast, although incidents in waters off surrounding countries are thought to be significantly underreported. The motive of those in the small craft remains unknown, although it is possible that potential hijackers or robbers were scoping the vessel for a possible attack.
Congo: Two assailants attempt to rob tanker at Pointe Noire 22 August
At around 0200 hrs local time, two robbers boarded an anchored tanker at Pointe Noire anchorage. The crew spotted the robbers and raised the alarm, prompting them to flee empty handed.
PVI Analysis: Pointe Noire regularly experiences vessel robberies, though most incidents are related to petty theft and are non-violent in nature. Vessels are advised to remain vigilant when in the anchorage area to guard against robberies.
Guinea: Pirates attack bulk carrier near Conakry 24 August
Seven robbers armed with automatic guns and knives boarded a bulk carrier at 0110 hrs local time some 5.5 nm south of Conakry. Crew members on watch were taken hostage and beaten, and the robbers took ship’s properties and the crew’s personal belongings prior to departing at 0145 hrs local time. No further details were immediately available.
PVI Analysis: Armed robberies off the coast of Guinea have increased notably since April 2016, with such incidents rarely being reported before this period, thus seemingly indicating the emergence of new pirate groups operating in Guinean waters. A total of five similar incidents have been reported off Guinea since 1 April 2016, according to the PGI Risk Portal, although the actual figure is thought to be higher as other incidents are likely to have gone unreported.
Angola: Thousands of Lobito port workers strike over pay 24 August
More than 2,000 employees at the state-run Lobito port commenced an indefinite strike, saying they are owed four months of wages. The strike caused significant delays to operations at Angola’s second-largest port. Angola’s economy has been hit by persistently low oil prices, the country’s main source of revenue, which have limited financing for state-run services.
Source: PVI
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