The Singapore-registered tanker, Success 9, has been located off the coast of Abidjan, Ivory Coast after a passing vessel picked up a distress call from the vessel.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced that the vessel had been located on April 15 at around 17:00 (Singapore time) and had safely arrived at Port Autonome d’Abidjan.
This follows an international search for the Success 9, which was boarded by unidentified pirates on April 10 about 300 nautical miles off the Abidjan coast.
“Since then MPA has been coordinating with the shipowner and multinational agencies through the Information Fusion Centre and the Monrovia Regional Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) to search for the ship,” MPA said.
“We are glad that the ship has been found and all crew are safe and in good health. We would like to thank all parties, including the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade together with the regional security forces, the French navy, coast guards, and maritime administrations from Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, and all nearby passing commercial ships who have helped in the search operation,” MPA said.
The commercial ship, Monjasa Sprinter, which was passing by, had earlier picked up a distress call from Success 9.
“The master of Monjasa Sprinter then reported the location of Success 9 to the latter’s Company Security Officer (CSO). The CSO updated MPA, who immediately informed the IFC and Monrovia Regional MRCC. A Côte d'Ivoire Navy patrol vessel was deployed to confirm and board Success 9. All crew, including the Singaporean crew, were safe and in good health. The ship has since safely arrived at Abidjan port,” MPA said.
The MPA has advised all Singapore-registered ships to exercise caution and implement the Best Management Practices West Africa guidelines when operating in the region to mitigate piracy-associated threats.
“Companies should also regularly review their ship security assessment and plan under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. Companies are advised to report all pirate activity, including both actual and attempted attacks, as well as suspicious sightings, to local authorities,” MPA said.
