Containership damaged in pirate attack off Nigeria

Praesidium International reports that a containership suffered damage to its bridge and accommodation areas during an attack by pirates in the Gulf of Guinea off Bonny, Nigeria, on Friday, April 23.

The Cyprus-flagged Contship New had just left the Port of Owendo in Gabon and was en route to Lome, Togo, when it was boarded by unidentified armed men 220 nautical miles southwest of Bonny at 11:15 local time on Friday.

The crew were able to retreat to the relative safety of the citadel as the pirates combed the vessel’s interior. The crew said the pirates fired their weapons as they went through the ship.

The pirates later left the vessel, allowing the crew to resume their voyage to Lome. The vessel arrived in Lome on Tuesday, April 27.

The crew reported that some items were stolen during the unauthorised boarding.