AfricaOperationsPiracy

Hijackings proliferate around West Africa

Details are emerging of further West African hijackings, this time further south than other recent incidents.

The tanker Anuket Amber was bunkering LPG tanker BW Frigg on October 30 when pirates attacked both ships just off Pointe-Noire in the republic of Congo. While the BW ship was able to escape, the Anuket Amber was hijacked and its crew taken hostage.

On the same day in a similar area the offshore supply vessel Ark Tze was also taken by pirates and four crew kidnapped and transferred to the held Anuket Amber.

Pirate attacks in West Africa have soared in recent months, principally off Nigeria.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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