A cargo vessel was boarded by armed men while transiting near Equatorial Guinea. The intruders boarded the vessel and then left. A suspicious boat was observed following the ship for a period before leaving the area, reports Neptune Group.
Enhance Vigilance
This incident marks the fourth boarding or approach incident within the last 90 days for vessels transiting this specific area.
Of the 23 events recorded in 2024/25, a significant portion (11 incidents) occurred within the last three months, with a concentration of 9 incidents in the waters near Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Malabo, and Sao Tome and Principe.
The modus operandi observed in these recent incidents suggests the presence of an active Pirate Action Group (PAG) operating in the southeastern region of the Gulf of Guinea.
This shift in activity may be attributed to the PAG’s attempt to avoid regional naval counter-piracy operations, which have significantly reduced the number of piracy incidents in countries such as Nigeria. Ships operating in this region are advised to enhance vigilance, familiarize themselves with the threat mitigation advice outlined in the BMP West Africa, and consider the deployment of an armed security team as a precautionary measure.
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Source: Neptune Group
