What Crew Members Say About Maersk-Cotonou

On November 20, 2016, the container ship 'Maersk Cotonou' narrowly escaped an armed assault by eight pirates while navigating off the coast of Nigeria. Earlier that day, a convoy of supply vessels in the vicinity faced an assault, highlighting the dangerous maritime environment in the area. According to the security firm Ashy, the pirates approached the 'Maersk Cotonou' in a high-speed boat, but thanks to pre-emptive security measures implemented on board, the ship successfully evaded the attack. Following this close call, the container vessel was able to continue its journey towards Port Harcourt. The 'Maersk Cotonou,' which was on a scheduled route from Onne to Walvis Bay, is expected to reach its destination on November 28. It's noteworthy that the piratical group responsible for this attempted attack was previously involved in striking the incoming convoy earlier the same day. A security escort vessel accompanying the convoy was forced to engage the pirates, returning fire and ultimately thwarting the initial assault. This incident underlines the ongoing security challenges faced by maritime operations in Nigerian waters.