Five Chinese seafarers have been abducted from a Pacific International Lines (PIL) general cargoship off Benin.

Security consultancy Dryad Global said the 27,378-dwt Kota Budi (built 2013) was boarded by "heavily armed men" late on 2 July, 153 miles south-west of Cotonou.

Risk Intelligence said those taken include the master and chief engineer.