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In a dramatic incident in the Gulf of Guinea, the oil tanker 'Energy Centurion' was hijacked by pirates, who managed to siphon off an astonishing 3,100 tons of petrol before abandoning the vessel. The attack occurred about 30 kilometers off the coast of Lome, the capital of Togo, on August 28, 2012. After the pirates departed, the ship was reclaimed by its crew approximately 60 miles east of Lagos by 3 p.m. the same day. Fortunately, all 24 members of the crew, including a Greek captain and 23 Russian sailors primarily from the Krasnodar and Rostov regions, were unharmed during the ordeal. However, the pirates did cause significant damage, ruining some electronics and communications gear before fleeing with stolen cash, valuables, and personal items from the crew members. An SOS signal was emitted by the 'Energy Centurion', prompting a border patrol vessel to respond. In an effort to confront the pirates, a shootout ensued, but the thieves successfully escaped with their ill-gotten gains. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a region notorious for such maritime crimes.

On August 30, 2023, the Greek oil tanker Energy Centurion, identified by IMO number 9332106, successfully evaded a piracy attempt when assailants abandoned their mission. Maritime sources indicate that the would-be pirates likely retreated after realizing they were under surveillance and had been spotted. Fortunately, they did not manage to secure any of the tanker’s valuable cargo. The crew members on board were reported safe and unharmed, marking a fortunate outcome for those aboard. For more maritime updates, visit the Maritime Bulletin at http://www.odin.tc.

Golden Energy Management, part of the Restis-controlled Enterprises Shipping & Trading, has confirmed that all 24 Russian crew members aboard the "Energy Centurion" are reported to be in good health as of August 29. This follows the alarming seizure of the ship off Lome, Togo, on the morning of August 28. The vessel was targeted by pirates while navigating near the coast of Nigeria, with the apparent aim of stealing its cargo. The company's management is actively maintaining communication with both the relevant authorities and the families of the seafarers to ensure the situation is managed effectively. They have committed to providing updates as new information becomes available. The attack took place 17 miles from shore while the ship was at anchor, with a valuable cargo of 56,000 tonnes of gasoil on board. During the hijacking, the assailants exchanged gunfire with a Togolese patrol boat that had responded to a distress signal, but they managed to evade capture.