[Last Reporting Period]
The Liberian-flagged Product Tanker, MONJASA REFORMER, has been boarded at sea approx. 140nm west of Pointe Noire, Congo. A single skiff with 5 POB approached the Tanker; at least three boarding the vessel. The crew were reportedly able to retreat to the Citadel, but from the latest report are uncontactable. The 13,702 DWT Tanker is managed by Monjasa DMCC Dubai, UAE.
UPDATE 1: Current location of the MONJASA REFORMER is unknown. Sources have informed us that the attack appears to be a cargo theft operation and it is unknown whether the crew has been/will be kidnapped. Spanish, French (off Libreville, Gabon), and Italian navies are in the region and attempts have been made to get the Italian navy to intervene.
UPDATE 2: Vessel is confirmed to have been attacked and boarded by armed pirates. All crew are in Citadel. Location remains unknown and vessel is not transmitting on AIS. Owners have lost contact/communication with the vessel.
UPDATE 3: Vessel reported as being in the vicinity of position: 0409S 00146E at 1825UTC on 28 Mar 2023.
UPDATE 4: MT MONJASA REFORMER is reported as located at position: 02° 52' 00" N, 006° 58' 60" E. MDAT-GoG has reported the incident complete. vessel is safe.
UPDATE 5: Six crew members are reported to have been taken hostage by the pirates. The French patrol ship, Premier Maitre L’Her, initially located the MONJASA REFORMER off Sao Tomé and Principe Thursday afternoon, March 30, using an aerial drone. By the time the patrol ship had reached the MONJASA REFORMER, the pirates had abandoned the vessel, taking six crew members with them. It is unclear where the kidnapped crew are being held. The rest of the crew is safe and receiving proper attention. The ship and its cargo are undamaged. The MONJASA REFORMER was escorted towards Lome, Togo by Nigerian patrol boat KANO.
Vessels are advised to keep well clear of the area and exercise extreme caution, remain vigilant, retain an enhanced local surveillance, maintain strict Anti-Piracy Watch, and apply BMP WA procedures.
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