Nine seafarers have been kidnapped in a pirate attack on LPG carrier, ‘CGAS Saturn’, off the coast of Equatorial Guinea.
According to a maritime security company, the Portugal-flagged CGAS Saturn was attacked in the Gulf of Guinea, approximately 50nm west of Mbini, Equatorial Guinea.
At least nine crew were kidnapped and four left onboard, according to one crew member who was injured. Those left onboard were the second captain, third captain, deck officer, and oiler, the company claimed.
An earlier initial report said at least 12 crew were kidnapped and one left onboard.
CGAS Saturn is owned and operated by Christiania Gas, the LPG shipping arm of Eitzen Group’s Christiania Shipping.
Christiania Shipping issued a statement confirming the attack, the kidnapping of nine crew, and light injuries sustained by one of the four seafarers remaining onboard the ship. CGAS Saturn has proceeded to safe waters, it added.
According to the company, it is greatly concerned about the attack on its vessel and seafarers. “The company’s main priority now is to establish contact with the missing crew to secure their earliest and safe release”, said Christiania Shipping.
