The Deep Blue Project is the first integrated maritime security strategy in West and Central Africa with the aim of tackling the incidences of piracy, sea robbery, and other crimes at sea. Keep Reading
Like most countries in West Africa, Nigeria’s coastal waters contain diverse species of fish, which contribute to the food and economic security of its people. Keep Reading
Stella Maris, a charity supporting seafarers, fishers and families, has signed up to the Gulf of Guinea Declaration on the Suppression of Piracy, demonstrating its commitment to eradicating the scourge of piracy. Keep Reading
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for increased collaboration and action to tackle an escalation in the number and severity of attacks in the Gulf of Guinea region, which threatens the lives and well-being of seafarers and the safety of shipping. Keep Reading
Nigeria and the Inter Regional Coordination Centre (ICC) Yaoundé have formed a forum to galvanize regional and international efforts to improve security in the Gulf of Guinea. Keep Reading
The Gulf of Guinea accounted for nearly half (43%) of all reported piracy incidents in the first three months of 2021, according to the latest figures from the International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau. Keep Reading
Dutch ship operator De Poli Tankers Holding BV said 15 seafarers have been taken hostage in the Gulf of Guinea. The Davide B tanker came under attack some 210 nautical miles south of Cotonou, Benin on March 11. Keep Reading
The crew of the boxship Mozart who were kidnapped in a brutal attack in the Gulf of Guinea two weeks ago have been freed. According to a statement from the ship’s manager Borealis Maritime, the 15 Turkish citizens are all safe in Nigeria. Keep Reading
Africa has emerged as a maritime terrorism hotspot, presenting a tremendous obstacle to the development of its blue economy. Seafarers have borne the brunt of unsafe waterways as pirates increasingly target ships. Keep Reading
The new counterpiracy moves come as the Gulf of Guinea has been subjected to another fatal piracy attack, this time off Sao Tome. Keep Reading
Incidents included three hijacked vessels, 11 vessels fired upon, 20 attempted attacks, and 161 vessels boarded. The rise is attributed to an increase of piracy and armed robbery reported within the Gulf of Guinea as well as increased armed robbery activity in the Singapore Straits. Keep Reading
There have been a surge of incidents in the past five weeks, resulting in an increased risk rating for the Gulf of Guinea region. Keep Reading
The Russian embassy in Nigeria is confirming the abduction of two seafarers in the latest pirate attack in the Gulf of Guinea. This incident comes a little more than a month after the Russian embassy was successful in liberating seven other sailors that were also abducted in the same area. Keep Reading
Violent attacks against ships and their crews have risen globally in 2020, with 98 incidents of piracy and armed robbery in the first half of 2020, up from 78 in 2019. Keep Reading
IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim has welcomed the latest initiatives to address the serious issue of piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea, including a joint meeting between the government of Nigeria and representatives from organizations representing the oil and shipping industries. Keep Reading
The Nigerian Navy has reported that it rescued 18 crew members on board a Chinese vessel, MV HAILUFANG II, from a piracy attack. The crew members were Chinese, Ghanaians and Ivoirians. Keep Reading
47 attacks were reported in the first three months of 2020, up from 38 in the same period last year. The Gulf of Guinea remains the world’s piracy hotspot. Keep Reading
The vessels, DB Lagos and DB Abuja, which arrived the country recently are equipped with sophisticated intelligence gathering capability for timely detection and response to illegal activities in the maritime domain. Keep Reading
The attacks are often conducted by criminal groups whose infrastructure is based in the Niger Delta region. Here, the groups have a large number of camps and members in remote areas where hostages are held during negotiation. Keep Reading
Starting in January 2020, the United States began its one-year secretariat of the G7++ Friends of Gulf of Guinea Group, with Gabon serving as co-secretariat. Keep Reading