Read Authentic Ratings for the Mt-Maximus

In a significant turn of events, Nigerian authorities have successfully returned the hijacked tanker 'Maximus' to its rightful owners following an in-depth investigation into the piracy incident. The tanker, affiliated with interests from the UAE, was forcibly seized by pirates on February 11 while navigating offshore near Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. After being held for 24 days, the 'Maximus' has now been safely moored at Apapa Lagos Port, marking the end of a troubling chapter for the vessel and its stakeholders. This incident underscores ongoing maritime security challenges in the region, with authorities stepping up efforts to combat piracy effectively.

The tanker 'Maximus' has successfully docked at the port of Lagos following a high-stakes rescue mission on the night of February 19. The operation, conducted approximately 310 miles southwest of Lagos, resulted in the death of one pirate. On February 22, the vessel arrived in Lagos with six captured hijackers, hailing from Nigeria and Ghana, alongside its crew of 18 members from various nations including India, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Sudan, and Ghana. The Nigerian navy is actively searching for two crew members, one Indian and one believed to be Pakistani, who were taken hostage by two hijackers that managed to escape aboard their own vessel. The hijackers had originally targeted the 'Maximus' for its cargo, which was carrying 4,700 tons of diesel fuel when it was seized off the coast of Abidjan on February 11.

In a recent maritime rescue operation, the Nigerian Navy successfully liberated 10 Indian nationals and one Pakistani national who were taken hostage aboard the tanker 'Maximus'. The hijacking is suspected to have occurred on February 11, when assailants targeted two vessels in the Gulf of Guinea. Prior to the attack, the last recorded AIS data for the 'Maximus' indicated its position off the Ivory Coast on February 5-6. The first incident took place on February 11 at approximately 3 p.m., 50 miles south of the Bayelsa coastline, at coordinates 03 36N 005 35E. Meanwhile, the second vessel was attacked around 75 miles south of Abidjan, indicating a worrying trend in maritime security in this critical shipping area.