Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Hua-Fu-207

In a concerning incident off the coast of Benin, three Russian nationals have been abducted by pirates from the Greek-flagged vessel SARONIC BREEZE, according to the Russian Embassy in Nigeria. On Tuesday, Artyom Romanov, a spokesperson for the embassy, reported that the pirates hijacked the ship and subsequently navigated it to Nigerian waters, ultimately abandoning the vessel close to Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s southeastern oil hub. The captives include the ship's captain, a second engineer, and a cook. In response to this alarming situation, Russian diplomatic efforts are underway to facilitate their safe return. The Gulf of Guinea has turned into a hotspot for piracy, where such hijackings are frequent. Typically, crew members are released unharmed after ransom negotiations. Interestingly, while bandits often target oil tankers for crude theft, the SARONIC BREEZE is categorized as a refrigerated reefer vessel.

In a disturbing incident on the night of November 27, 2016, the cargo vessel 'Saronic Breeze' was hijacked by pirates approximately 72 nautical miles from Cotonou, located at coordinates 05°04'N 002°37'E in the Gulf of Guinea. The ship, which had departed Cotonou on November 24, faced an aggressive pirate assault that resulted in a complete takeover. According to the ship's owner, they received a Security Alert System (SSAS) signal but were unable to make successful contact with the vessel. During the hijacking, the ship's Automatic Identification System (AIS) and other communication devices were disabled by the assailants. Following the attack, the vessel altered its course back toward the port, drifting in the vicinity since the evening of November 28. Both the ship's agent and port control were alerted to the situation. The ordeal concluded on November 29 when the pirates abandoned the 'Saronic Breeze,' taking three crew members as hostages. The crew comprised 20 individuals, including 18 Russians and 2 Ukrainians, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by maritime operations in this vulnerable region.