DCR Congo: Armed robbers board vessel in Ango-Ango Inner Anchorage
28 April
Two robbers armed with long knives boarded a vessel at 0604 hrs local time in Ango Inner Anchorage. The deck watch spotted the robbers and the chief officer raised the alarm. The Master ordered the crew to stand by and proceed to the citadel. The robbers stole mooring ropes and left the vessel without injuring the crew.
PVI Analysis: Piracy incidents are rare off the coast of the DRC and maritime criminal incidents tend to be concentrated along the Congo River, where armed robbers intermittently target vessels around Matadi. However, the risk of piracy remains off the DRC due to the presence of pirates along the coast of the Republic of Congo.
Nigeria: Suspected pirates attack tanker off Brass
03 May
Suspected pirates in a speedboat attacked an underway tanker at 2150 hrs local time, some 97 nm south-southwest of Brass. Shots were reportedly fired at the tanker, which conducted evasive measures. The pirates failed to board the vessel and no crew were injured.
PVI Analysis: Nigerian waters remain high risk for criminality. Crew and vessels are vulnerable to opportunist thieves at anchorage and more sophisticated kidnap for ransom attacks, which typically occur 10 – 150 nautical miles off Nigeria’s coastline. Pirates are often armed and violent and there is precedent for attackers to persist when under attack from armed security teams until they have been injured or killed.
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