A CMA CGM-chartered boxship attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea on Monday is now safe, according the vessel’s owner.
The attack on the 3,000-teu Port Gdynia (built 2011) came amid increased security concerns in the region following a number of attacks on ships in December.
Owner Polish Ocean Lines said its crew’s response to the incident prevented attackers from gaining control of the vessel.
The ship was attacked 95 nautical miles (175 km) south of the Nigerian port of Brass.
The spokesman said: “The incident is over and the crew is safe thanks to their exemplary reactions.
“[The] Port Gdynia, en route from Lome, Togo, to Bata, Equatorial Guinea, was boarded by pirates. Pirates left the ship without having been able to take control of the vessel and all crew members are safe. We are fully collaborating with local authorities.”
The Port Gdynia is one of five containerships operated by CMA CGM on its Europe-Africa service.
The incident is one of a number of Gulf of Guinea pirate attacks on shipping in the run up to Christmas.
The 12,950-dwt New Ranger (built 2007) was attacked by gunmen in the Gulf of Guinea, 160 nautical miles (296 km) south-west of Brass earlier in December.
In the same month, a gang raided the 12,000-dwt general cargoship Stevia (built 1992) 52 km off Brass, kidnapping eight crew.
Maritime security intelligence company Dryad Global recently raised its risk rating in the Gulf of Guinea high risk area to “critical”.
