Seventeen seafarers have been taken hostage in two separate piracy attacks off the coast of Cameroon, TradeWinds has learnt.

In the first incident, eight crew were kidnapped from MC-Schiffahrt's 10,600-dwt multi-purpose vessel MarMalaita (built 2002) late on 14 August, the shipowner has confirmed.

“It is with deep regret and great concern to inform that our vessel MarMalaita was attacked by pirates on 14 August between 23.00h