Pirates abduct nine from BW Offshore FPSO

Image: BW Offshore

BW Offshore reports that, at approximately 4:20 am local time today, FPSO Sendje Berge was subject to an attack by pirates offshore Nigeria in which nine Nigerian nationals were kidnapped.

It said that the incident onboard the FPSO had ended and none of those remaining onboard had suffered physical injuries.

BW Offshore is cooperating with local authorities, represented on site by the Nigerian Navy.

Sendje Berge is situated on the Okwori field in Nigeria on contract to Addax Petroleum.

DRYAD ANALYSIS

Maritime security and risk analysis specialist Dryad Global says that “this attack is unique within the wider realm of offshore incidents within West Africa.”

Dryad notes that both the manner of attack and target are beyond the usual targeting and attack methodology of pirate action groups within Nigeria.

“The incident is reported to have involved three vessels, with one vessel being used as a decoy to distract the security vessel Hudson Capt Eledu,” reports Dryad. “It is likely that there was only one security vessel in the vicinity of the FPSO. The two remaining vessels approached the FPSO and are understood to have boarded the vessel by attaching a hooked ladder onto the half way hoisted gangway. Further reports indicated that explosives were used during the attack. Whilst unable to be verified, the use of such weapons (particularly grenades and RPG’s) has thus far not been seen in wider piracy reporting in West Africa and has more in common with attacks perpetuated by militants.”

Read the rest of the Dryad analysis HERE