31/03/2023
Gulf of Guinea: On Friday, the owners of the Liberian-flagged Monjasa Reformer announced that the oil and chemical tanker, which was hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea, has been located near the coast of Sao Tome and Principe. However, the pirates have kidnapped some of the crew members, although it is unclear how many.
The French navy discovered the ship on Thursday, and the pirates had left the vessel, taking some of the crew members with them. Monjasa, the ship's owners, reported that the rescued crew members were all safe and in good health. The Gulf of Guinea, spanning from Senegal to Angola, has been plagued by piracy for many years, although patrols by West African and international navies have reduced incidents of piracy in recent years.
Despite this, Danish Shipping has called for more action to be taken to prevent such incidents, stating that many countries in the region lack the necessary resources to respond effectively.
The International Maritime Bureau's Piracy Reporting Centre has recorded a steady decline in piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, with only 19 incidents reported last year compared to 35 in 2019 and 84 in 2020. Despite this positive trend, the recent hijacking of the Monjasa Reformer highlights the continued threat of piracy in the region and the need for further action to protect vessels and crew members.
Danish Shipping has suggested that Denmark could contribute to increased training or surveillance in the region while their naval vessels are occupied elsewhere. The organization's statement emphasizes the importance of collaboration between international navies and the countries in the region to combat piracy effectively.
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has significant implications for global trade and maritime security. The region is a key transit route for oil exports from Africa and is an essential component of the global economy. The threat of piracy not only endangers the lives of crew members but also disrupts trade flows and increases shipping costs. Therefore, it is essential to continue efforts to combat piracy in the region and promote maritime security.