Reporting indicates that an MV was boarded at the Luba Anchorage, Equatorial Guinea.

Further unconfirmed reporting has indicated that this vessel may have been the research vessel MV DJIBLOHO. Unconfirmed reporting indicates that as a result of the boarding two Russian personnel may have been kidnapped.

Dryad have thus far been unable to verify these details and will update accordingly.

This latest incident follows a report of a kidnapping occurring 2nm offshore Malabo. At this stage it is unclear which incident occurred first or indeed whether the attack was conducted by the same grouping.

If confirmed this latest incident would bring the total number of persons kidnapped in maritime crime incidents throughout the region to 52.

Across the last 48hrs there has been an increase in reporting concerning suspicious activity involving vessels reported to have acted in a suspicious manner. In another report a speedboat was sighted circling an offshore platform in waters off Mayumba, Gabon.

Whilst the trend of incidents within West Africa is showing a gradual decline, there is an upward trend in severity of incidents notably those involving kidnap for ransom. Vessels operating in this region must maintain the highest levels of vigilance and ensure that vessels are adequately hardened when required.

Source: Dryad Global