Security considerations for tanker operators in the Gulf of Guinea
Year: 2022 Language: English Author: Intertanko Genre: Instruction Publisher: Intertanko Edition: 2nd edition Format: PDF Quality: eBook Pages count: 23 Description: Frequent attacks against merchant ships in the Gulf of Guinea, often involving tankers, continue to be a problem for tanker operators. Despite a drop in the number of attacks in 2021 compared with the previous year, the threat level for tanker vessels of all types remains significant. Several successful and attempted kidnap-for-ransom attacks between October and December, including attacks at significant distances from the coastline, have underlined the issue. Overall, the maritime security situation in the Gulf of Guinea remains fragile. Violent attacks aimed at kidnapping crew members for financial rewards are very likely to remain concentrated on areas in geographic proximity to the Niger Delta. However, this includes the EEZs of several countries in the region. Without a determined effort by governments and security forces in Gulf of Guinea countries as well as better coordination with international stakeholders, kidnap-for-ransom attacks will remain a major threat for operations in the Gulf of Guinea. Threat and risk assessments are extremely important to identify mitigation measures and reduce the risks for crews, cargoes and ships. At the same time, such assessments are complicated by a constantly evolving situation which can change significantly within just a few weeks, depending on maritime and land-based factors in Nigeria and other regional countries. Additional info: Implementation of measures contained in the 'BMP West Africa' guidance decreases the chance that attackers are able to board a vessel. Furthermore, ships that report to MDATGoG and centers in the region as per the reporting procedures are more likely to receive immediate assistance after an attack. Additional measures, e.g. the use of security escort vessels for transits to and from Nigerian ports and terminals, may be considered, based on a risk assessment that includes the current threat level, the vulnerability of a particular vessel and the potential consequences of a successful attack. Companies should also evaluate and – if required – update contingency plans, instructions for masters and emergency guidelines to reduce the risks to crews, ships and cargoes as much as possible.
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Security considerations for tanker operators in the Gulf of Guinea
Language: English
Author: Intertanko
Genre: Instruction
Publisher: Intertanko
Edition: 2nd edition
Format: PDF
Quality: eBook
Pages count: 23
Description: Frequent attacks against merchant ships in the Gulf of Guinea, often involving tankers, continue to be a problem for tanker operators. Despite a drop in the number of attacks in 2021 compared with the previous year, the threat level for tanker vessels of all types remains significant. Several successful and attempted kidnap-for-ransom attacks between October and December, including attacks at significant distances from the coastline, have underlined the issue. Overall, the maritime security situation in the Gulf of Guinea remains fragile.
Violent attacks aimed at kidnapping crew members for financial rewards are very likely to remain concentrated on areas in geographic proximity to the Niger Delta. However, this includes the EEZs of several countries in the region. Without a determined effort by governments and security forces in Gulf of Guinea countries as well as better coordination with international stakeholders, kidnap-for-ransom attacks will remain a major threat for operations in the Gulf of Guinea.
Threat and risk assessments are extremely important to identify mitigation measures and reduce the risks for crews, cargoes and ships. At the same time, such assessments are complicated by a constantly evolving situation which can change significantly within just a few weeks, depending on maritime and land-based factors in Nigeria and other regional countries.
Additional info: Implementation of measures contained in the 'BMP West Africa' guidance decreases the chance that attackers are able to board a vessel. Furthermore, ships that report to MDATGoG and centers in the region as per the reporting procedures are more likely to receive immediate assistance after an attack.
Additional measures, e.g. the use of security escort vessels for transits to and from Nigerian ports and terminals, may be considered, based on a risk assessment that includes the current threat level, the vulnerability of a particular vessel and the potential consequences of a successful attack.
Companies should also evaluate and – if required – update contingency plans, instructions for masters and emergency guidelines to reduce the risks to crews, ships and cargoes as much as possible.
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