(WASHINGTON) — Piracy, armed robbery and kidnapping for ransom (KFR) pose significant threats to vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) as well as mariners onboard a vessel or transiting to or from a vessel in the GoG.
Guidance
In 2023, pirates, armed robbers and KFR groups are known to have operated off Nigeria, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo. During this period, they targeted a variety of vessels including tankers, containerships, general cargo vessels and passenger vessels. These groups have boarded vessels up to 300 nautical miles from shore, and it is not uncommon for these groups to fire upon vessels during boardings and attempted boardings.
KFR groups generally kidnap senior crewmembers, such as the master and chief engineer, and any Western or foreign crewmembers. Kidnapped crewmembers are normally taken ashore in the Niger Delta region where KFR groups demand ransom payments in exchange for the safe return of the crewmembers. Details of incidents in the GoG can be found in the Office of Naval Intelligence Worldwide Threat to Shipping reports.
Three kidnappings for ransom and one hijacking occurred in 2023. In March, six crewmembers were kidnapped from a Liberian-flagged tanker approximately 140 nautical miles off Pointe Noire, Republic of the Congo, and in May, three crewmembers were kidnapped from a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk vessel in Owendo Anchorage, Gabon. On June 30, five crewmembers were kidnapped from a Panama-flagged bulk carrier in Douala Anchorage, Cameroon.
In all instances, the crewmembers were released safely, likely after ransom payments were made. They had been held captive for almost six weeks, three weeks, and eight weeks respectively. In April, a Singapore-flagged bunkering tanker was hijacked approximately 300 nautical miles south of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The hijacked tanker and crew were released five days later after the vessel’s cargo had been stolen.
Mariners transiting this area should visit the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade-Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) website and the NATO Shipping Center website for additional information on threats and specific recommendations for vessels. U.S.-flagged vessels anchoring, transiting or operating in this region must comply with their approved vessel security plans. Additionally, the best management practices to deter piracy and enhance maritime security off the coast of West Africa, including the Gulf of Guinea (available under the Geography-Gulf of Guinea pull-down menu at https://www.maritimeglobalsecurity.org/) provides additional guidance and resources for operating in this area.
U.S.-flagged ships operating in or through the GoG Voluntary Reporting Area designated on Maritime Security Chart Q6114 should transit with extreme caution and vigilance. Mariners operating near this area are also advised to consult the Department of State travel advisories for this area.
All suspicious activities and events involving U.S. vessels or persons must be reported to the U.S. Coast Guard National Response Center at 800-424-8802 in accordance with 33 CFR 101.305.
Contact Information
MDAT-GoG is operated by the navies of France and the United Kingdom. This center receives reports, shares important updates, provides guidance on vessel operating patterns, and reviews security risks with the Gulf of Guinea maritime community. Note that MDAT-GoG does not coordinate responses to vessels under attack. MDAT-GoG can be contacted via email at watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org
or telephone at +33(0)2 98 22 88 88. For any maritime industry questions about this advisory, contact GMCC@uscg.mil.
Supplemental information may also be found on the U.S. Maritime Administration (MarAd) Office of Maritime Security website. Request the U.S. Sixth Fleet Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) detachment be copied on any incident report submitted to the NRC or MDAT-GoG. U.S. Sixth Fleet NCAGS can be reached at +39 081 568 3612 or via email at c6fncags@eu.navy.mil.
U.S.-flagged vessels operating in this area should consult Revision 8 to Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104–6 (See paragraph 5 of U.S. Maritime Advisory 2023-015).
– U.S. Maritime Administration
