Navy utilizes MDA technology to track down hijacked vessel in Gulf of Guinea

The Nigerian Navy’s high command is intensifying its efforts to locate a tanker boarded by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) using Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), less than three weeks after the high seas hijacking of the tanker MT Monjasa Reformer.

According to reports, the attack occurred in deep sea, off the coast of Cote d’Ivoire, not in Nigerian waters, according to Navy spokesman Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan.

His words are: Utilizing our MDA system and collaborating with a variety of partners, we are attempting to determine the vessel’s position before taking any further action or providing assistance.

According to the information center for Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade–Gulf of Guinea (MDAT–GoG), the most recent incident occurred on April 10 approximately 300 nautical miles south-southwest of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

According to the EOS Risk Group, the most recent incident suggested that the pirates might have been supported by another vessel. Even as it advised vessels to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant while maintaining strict anti-piracy measures, EOS Risk Group stated that the most recent boarding incident demonstrates the ability of West African pirates to operate further from the shore.

On March 26, armed pirates reportedly attacked the Monjasa Reformer 140 miles west of Port Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo, resulting in the loss of communication. Six crew members were still missing when the vessel was discovered four days later, approximately 90 nautical miles south of Bonny, Nigeria.

The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) reports that there was maritime piracy and armed robbery worldwide fell to their lowest level in nearly three decades last year.

In particular, there was a decrease in the number of piracy and crew kidnappings that were reported in the GoG. According to IMB data, there were 19 incidents in 2022, down from 35 the year before.

A Danish frigate’s recent departure from the region has been blamed for recent successful attacks on GoG vessels. The frigate had apparently safeguarded ships, hindered assaults and captured privateers starting around 2021, however was pulled back toward the end of last year.

According to reports, the IMB has issued a warning that ongoing efforts are required to guarantee the continued safety of seafarers in the region, which continues to be dangerous as evidenced by these most recent incidents.