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Russian navy comes to the rescue of MSC ship attacked off West Africa

The Russian Navy reacted fast yesterday helping stop a pirate attack underway onboard a boxship operated by Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC). The 1,893 teu MSC Lucia was attacked and boarded yesterday in the Gulf of Guinea while the vessel was making its way from Lome in Togo to Douala in Cameroon.

A distress call was picked up by a Russian naval group, who started to steam towards the area of the incident. The Russians sent a helicopter ahead, which forced the pirates to abandon their attack.

The containership has since been escorted by the Russian naval group towards its destination.

The Gulf of Guinea has become the world’s piracy hotspot over the last couple of years. Maritime security experts Dryad Global urged vessels transiting the area this week to exercise extreme caution.

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.

Comments

  1. Especially when they have a reputation in Africa for shooting first and asking questions afterwards.

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