Khadiga Vessel Reviews and Specifications

On August 13, the tanker 'Pantelena' was seized by pirates, marking the beginning of a tense nine-day ordeal for its crew. The captain reported that during this period, all members were confined to a single cabin, receiving adequate food and water from their captors. After nearly a week and a half of confinement, the pirates chose to depart the vessel, though the captain did not disclose the conditions under which the tanker was released. The 'Pantelena' successfully docked in Lomé, Togo, on August 24, bringing a sense of relief to the ship's owner and the 19 crew members, which included 17 Georgian nationals and 2 Russian citizens. At the time of its hijack, the vessel was transporting 7,000 tons of fuel. The incident highlights ongoing maritime security challenges in the region.

The tanker 'Pantelena', which mysteriously vanished near Gabon on August 14, has reportedly been sighted at the multinational coordination centre in Pointe Noire, Congo, on August 22. The vessel disappeared from the operational radar of the Libreville Navy, leaving behind 19 crew members—17 Georgians and 2 Russians. At the time of its disappearance, the 'Pantelena' was transporting approximately 7,000 tons of fuel. Officials have indicated that issues with the electronic equipment at the regional maritime security centre, CREMAC, may have contributed to the incident. The circumstances surrounding the tanker’s disappearance and subsequent sighting remain under investigation.

The oil tanker 'Pantelena' has been declared missing since late on August 13, 2018, after all communication with the vessel was abruptly cut off in the notorious Gulf of Guinea, a region plagued by piracy. The vessel was carrying a crew of 19, comprising 17 Georgians and 2 Russians, and was reportedly on a routine trade mission, making stops at various ports along the West African coast, including Togo, Gabon, Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana. The last known coordinates for the Pantelena, recorded at 9 p.m., stood at 00° 32' N latitude and 008° 48' E longitude, situated approximately 40 miles off the coast of Libreville, Gabon. At the time of its disappearance, the tanker was transporting around 10,000 metric tonnes of gas oil, intended for discharge at its next destination in Libreville, having previously loaded the cargo in Togo. As concerns rise over a possible hijacking by pirates, the owner, Lotus Shipping, is collaborating with the maritime authorities of both Georgia and Gabon to uncover the circumstances surrounding this alarming incident. The tanker was last visualized more than 30 kilometers from the Gabonese coast, and all parties involved are eager for a swift resolution to ensure the safety of the crew and recover the vessel.