The Indian government has begun talks to free 18 of its seafarers abducted from a Navios Maritime Acquisition VLCC off Nigeria.

The Indian nationals and one Turkish man were kidnapped from the 297,000-dwt Nave Constellation (built 2010) 143km off Bonny on 3 December.

The Mumbai Mirror cited the father of the vessel's chief officer, a Mumbai resident, as saying India's ministry of external affairs (MEA) is negotiating with the pirates.