Two seafarers from the crew of the Tuvalu-flagged tanker HANA I (IMO: 9340398) have been kidnapped by pirates. The attack took place in the Gulf of Guinea waters during a transit from Abidjan to Douala, Cameroon, according to information from the maritime security company EOS. The pirates managed to board the ship south-east of Bioko Island.
Two seafarers from the crew were kidnapped by the pirates, according to a statement from EOS released on Tuesday on X.
HANA I is owned and managed by Gulf Fuel for Fuel & Oil, based in Dubai. Attempts by Maritime.News to contact the company were unsuccessful.
The vessel, built in 2007, continues its transit, according to AIS data.
Piracy in the Gulf of Guinea is a serious threat to international trade and security in the region. In recent years, the Gulf of Guinea has become one of the most dangerous areas for shipping, with a record number of pirate attacks recorded in 2022, despite the efforts of the international community. Non-governmental organizations from the maritime industry have called for more effective measures to combat piracy – strengthening naval presence, improving the efficiency of local authorities, and implementing measures to improve the economic situation in the region.
