According to a Dryad report, the missing tanker Stelios K was reported to be hijacked after owners lost contact with the vessel 40 nm south of Lome.
What happened?
The report indicates that contact was lost with the Togo flagged tanker STELIOS K (IMO8679209) while en route to Lagos. Vessels last known location was 115nm SSW Lomé.
Coastguard authorities have confirmed that the perpetrators are still onboard the vessel and the crew remain safe. Local authorities have been informed and negotiations are ongoing to secure the release of the vessel and crew.
AIS tracking data
AIS tracking shows that the vessel took two sharp turns off of its course and slowed from 6.6kts to stop before the AIS signal stopped.
As the current situation with the STELIOS K remains unclear, local authorities are continuing their investigation. The vessel is understood to be remaining in position from where it lost contact, having still not appeared on AIS.
No immediate kidnap
Dryad analysis says that the lack of immediate kidnap indicates that the perpetrators potentially sought options for either offloading or selling refined products that may be onboard.
2nd such incident with GoG
This incident is the second hijacking within the GoG in 2020. Such incidents remain rare due to both their complexity and high risk of interdiction by maritime security forces. The last known Hijack occurred on the 15 May 20 when the fishing vessels, HAILUFENG 11 lost contact with its company and disappeared from AIS. The vessel was later interdicted by Nigerian special forces resulting in the detention of the pirates, highlighting the risks of such operations and thus their rarity.
Critical risk rating raised
The Gulf of Guinea HRA was raised to a critical risk rating following a sharp increase in incidents in the past week, including 2 successful kidnappings within 3 days. Vessels are advised to exercise heightened caution in this region.
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Source: Dryad Global
