International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Kitack Lim on Wednesday (12 April) issued a statement, expressing his ‘deep concern’ over the recent kidnapping of six crew members from the MV Monjasa Reformer on 25 March and reports of an ongoing incident involving a tanker in the Gulf of Guinea.
“IMO recognises the progress that has been made since 2021 in the collective efforts to combat the threat of piracy and the resulting reduction in the number of pirate attacks,” he said in a statement.
“IMO urges continued sustainable support to the important work of the regional navies and entities within the Yaoundé Architecture to protect seafarers and to the operational piracy response from the Gulf of Guinea Maritime Collaboration Forum (SHADE) and the G7++ Friends of the Gulf of Guinea, in keeping with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2634 on piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.”
“I would like to appreciate the regional and international efforts to respond to this disturbing incident. I wish to reiterate that the ongoing threat must be addressed cohesively, involving all relevant actors and including regional entities.”
Manifold Times previously reported global oil and shipping group Monjasa stating pirates boarded Liberia-flagged oil tanker Monjasa Reformer have abandoned the vessel and ‘brought part of the crew members with them’.
The hijacking incident took place on 25 March off Congo in West Africa.
In a statement shared with Manifold Times, company spokesman Thorstein Andreasen said five days later, on 30 March, the Monjasa Reformer was located off Sao Tomé & Principe in the Gulf of Guinea by the French navy.
Related: Pirates board Monjasa oil tanker “Monjasa Reformer” in Gulf of Guinea
Related: Pirates abandon “Monjasa Reformer”, portion of crew returns to safety
Related: Pirates board Singapore-registered tanker “Success 9”, Singaporean on board
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Published: 14 April, 2023
