UPDATE02: A Togolese naval vessel reportedly arrived in the area, boarded the tanker, and secured all crew, who have been reported as safe. Ambrey received information that the Togolese navy took control of the vessel and they were expected to escort it to Lomé. Ambrey observed the Togolese naval vessel AGOU depart Lomé at 21:39 UTC, heading south towards the tanker. At 23:06, AGOU turned off its AIS transmissions 16.7 NM south of Lomé. On the 29th of August, the tankers AIS transmissions resumed at 10:09 UTC, approximately 16NM northeast of the original incident location. The incident is assessed as closed.
UPDATE 01: Ambrey has upgraded the event. Ambrey verified that the vessel’s AIS transmissions appeared to stop shortly after she started to drift. Based on the reports, location, vessel behaviour, and the current threat cycle, it is assessed to be a probable act of piracy.
A Malta-flagged tanker was possibly boarded 58NM south of Lomé, Togo. A small craft approached and came into “close proximity”. Subsequently, the crew implemented security protocols and relocated to the citadel. Reports indicate that at the time of writing, all crew were accounted for, and safe. Another report, issued earlier but with a later timestamp, characterised the incident as a pirate boarding. This has not been verified. The tanker had an estimated freeboard of 2 meters. At the time of writing, no weapons or boarding equipment were reported. She was underway from Lome, headed towards the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The vessel had no naval escort. ADVICE: Merchant shipping with freeboards lower than 10.4m and without armed security are advised to immediately re-route closer to Ghanaian and Togolese territorial seas. It is advised to enhance watchkeeping and check that Best Management Practice measures are in place.
