Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Bitu-River

In a recent security incident, three perpetrators boarded the 'BITU River' approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio do Príncipe, located on the island of Príncipe in São Tomé and Príncipe. Fortunately, the assailants vacated the tanker, which then made its way to Libreville for safety, anchoring at the coordinates 00° 18' N 009° 25' E on March 18 at 11 p.m. UTC. The ship had initially departed from the anchorage of Lomé, Togo, en route to Douala. While the exact timing of reported gunfire remains uncertain, the company's security officer confirmed the pirates have since left the vessel. Thankfully, there were no reports of theft or any crew members being taken hostage, and it appears that the crew suffered no injuries during the event.

In a shocking incident on March 17, 2025, at 9 p.m. GMT, the bitumen tanker 'Bitu River' was boarded by armed pirates approximately 41 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio, Sao Tome and Principe. The vessel, which was making its way from Lome to Douala, came under gunfire during the brazen attack that lasted around an hour. Initial reports suggest a possible kidnapping, with estimates indicating up to 10 crew members may have been abducted, although this has yet to be confirmed. Thankfully, the crew managed to retreat to the citadel for safety. However, the vessel's owner has lost all communication with the ship's master. The onshore security officer confirmed that the attackers are still on board and that there are currently five pirates in control of the situation. The 'Bitu River' is operated by the French company Rubis Energi, with management provided by Indian firm Maritec Tanker Management. This attack underscores the ongoing risks faced by commercial shipping in West African waters.