Late yesterday evening, another pirate attack occurred in the waters of West Africa. Three armed pirates seized the tanker BITU RIVER, registered under the flag of Panama, near the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. According to preliminary reports, gunfire was directed at the vessel. The condition of the crew, who took refuge in the citadel, remains unknown at this time.
At the time of the incident, the freeboard of the bitumen tanker was approximately 5.1 meters, making it quite vulnerable to attacks from the sea. Pirate activity in this region raises serious concerns for shipping companies and sailors, as there have been six recorded cases of vessel seizures off the coast of Equatorial Guinea and Gabon since the beginning of 2024. According to EOS Risk Group, 14 crew members have been kidnapped as a result of three pirate attacks.
In recent years, the waters around São Tomé and Príncipe have become a new territory for pirates, highlighting the growing issue of maritime security in the region. Piracy in West Africa has become a significant threat to international trade and supply chains, and local authorities, along with international organizations, are trying to find effective measures to combat this problem.
The situation requires increased attention and coordination between states and private companies to ensure the safety of shipping and protect the lives of sailors. We will continue to monitor developments and hope for a swift resolution to this situation.
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