Containership Faces a Premeditated Pirate Attack

By
Mfame Team
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1078

  • GISIS reported an unusual piracy attack on container ship Fouma in Ecuador waters, when the ship was under way, en route from Manta Ecuador to Guayaquil.
  • The attack looked like a well planned one with the aim of obtaining specific goods from specific containers.

An unusual piracy attack on container ship Fouma in Ecuador waters, writes Mikhail Voytenko for Maritime Bulletin.

Pirates aboard containership 

GISIS reported an unusual piracy attack on container ship Fouma in Ecuador waters, which took place at 0330 UTC (2230 LT) April 9, when the ship was under way, en route from Manta Ecuador to Guayaquil.

  • Eight armed robbers in two speed boats approached a container ship underway.
  • Master raised the alarm and activated the Ship Security Alert System (SSAS).
  • The robbers fired warning shots, managed to board the ship, and opened 15 containers.
  • When the search lights were directed towards the robbers, they opened fire towards the bridge. Port Control and Coast Guard were notified.
  • The robbers stole part of the cargo and escaped.

Well planned attack

Fouma arrived at Guayaquil on April 9 and left on April 10. Crew members were reported to be safe.

This was not an attack on a random ship with an aim of stealing anything they could, but more of a specific attack.

It looks like a well planned attack with the aim of obtaining specific goods from specific containers (the ship sailed to Ecuador ports from Balboa Panama).

If that is the case, criminals had to know insider information, such as containers numbers and locations, and ship’s plotted movements.

Ships are ‘No exception’

At best, this attack is something of an exception, the result of some criminal operation. At worst, such attacks may become regular.

Crime is rising throughout the world, many thanks to “fighting virus” insanity, and ships are no exception.  On the contrary, ships are most vulnerable to crime subjects, be it stealing, or armed robbery, or hijack.

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Source: Maritime Bulletin