A Filipino crewman has been confirmed missing following a pirate attack on a Minerva Marine tanker off Benin on Thursday.

The 51,000-dwt Minerva Virgo (built 2006) was attacked 83 km (52 miles) off Cotonou at 12:51 UTC.

Operator Minerva Marine confirmed the MR ship was boarded in a statement to TradeWinds on Friday.

It said the master instructed the crew of 22 people to muster in the citadel.