Panama-flagged asphalt/bitumen tanker Bitu River was boarded by three armed pirates late last night off São Tomé and Príncipe. Shots were reportedly fired, and the status of crew in the citadel is currently unknown.
The vessel had an estimated freeboard of 5.1 m when the boarding took place, according to Ambrey, a maritime security specialist.
Since January 2024, six vessels have been boarded offshore Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. 14 crew were kidnapped in three pirate attacks, according to data from EOS Risk Group.
The seas around São Tomé and Príncipe mark a new territory for pirates in West Africa.