Liberia: Piracy and security in the Gulf of Guinea

The Liberia Maritime Authority issued Marine Security Bulletin – 30/2024 regarding the piracy incident in the Gulf of Guinea.

Incident Overview:

On December 20, 2024, a container vessel was targeted by pirates while approaching the coast of Equatorial Guinea, with the vessel located at position 01-37.8N 008-45.0E. Upon spotting a pirate skiff approaching, the vessel's master sounded the general alarm. The crew members immediately entered the citadel for safety, leaving only the master, 2nd officer, and helmsman to conduct evasive maneuvers and operate the fire pump. The pirate skiff fired shots at the vessel and came as close as 0.1 nautical mile. Despite this, the vessel’s master successfully executed evasive actions, and the pirate skiff eventually fled without boarding the vessel. There were no injuries to the crew, and only minimal damage was reported to the vessel. After the incident, the vessel safely continued on its planned voyage to the next port of call.

Security Level Update:

Given the ongoing threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, the Liberia Maritime Authority has issued a reminder for all Liberian-flagged vessels operating in or through the Gulf of Guinea Voluntary Reporting Area. These vessels should transit with extreme caution and maintain a heightened level of vigilance. For the safety of human life at sea, it is advised that all Liberian-flagged ships operate at Security Level II when transiting the Gulf of Guinea and the surrounding West African coastal waters, including areas under the jurisdiction of the thirteen countries listed in the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) piracy reports. Shipowners, operators, and masters should continue to implement the procedures outlined in their approved Ship Security Plans and remain on the lookout for any suspicious vessels that may be engaged in piracy activities.

Recommendations:

To enhance maritime security, shipowners, operators, and masters are strongly encouraged to register their vessels with Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade - Gulf of Guinea (MDAT-GoG) upon entering its Voluntary Reporting Area. This allows for better monitoring and response to potential threats. It is crucial that any suspicious activity or incidents of piracy or armed robbery be reported immediately. Incidents can be reported by contacting MDAT-GoG via phone at +33 (02) 98 22 88 88 or by email at watchkeepers@mdat-gog.org.

Additionally, owners, operators, and masters can request the latest Piracy and Armed Robbery Report from the ICC’s Piracy Reporting Centre, which provides valuable information on piracy activities in the region. The report can be accessed through the ICC-CCS website.

For more detailed information on the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea, including piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping risks, it is recommended to refer to Marine Security Advisory - 03/2023, which offers further guidance on incident reporting and best practices for vessel security.

Contact Information:

In the event of any security incidents, owners, operators, and masters are urged to inform the Liberia Maritime Authority's Security Department immediately. The contact details are as follows: