Minerva-Virgo Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On March 5, 2020, at approximately 3 p.m., the oil tanker 'Minerva Virgo' was the target of a pirate attack while navigating in the Gulf of Guinea, specifically at coordinates 05 36.0N 002 20.4E, roughly 45 miles south of Cotonou, Benin. During the incident, a group of six armed assailants boarded the vessel. While the crew swiftly sought refuge in the ship's secure citadel, one Filipino crew member was tragically captured during the commotion. By 6 p.m., the tanker was confirmed to be drifting NUC and had its AIS activated, with Benin’s patrol boat en route to the scene. Fortunately, the remaining 22 crew members were safe following the ordeal. At the time of the incident, the 'Minerva Virgo' was on a journey from Ijmuiden to Lagos.