Piracy Attack on Container Vessel Underway Off Ana Chaves Bay, São Tomé

February 14, 08:12 UTC: At least two unauthorized persons in two speedboats successfully boarded the container vessel MAERSK TEMA (IMO #9698264) in position 01°33N-005°18E while she was underway from Pointe Noir to Lagos.

The vessel was reported to have dropped speed to 3.5 knots. She then drifted northeast at half a knot for the remainder of the day. 

Crew executed citadel counter-piracy protocol and all 21 crew were reported safe after waiting for support from Portuguese and Nigerian naval vessels. The MAERSK TEMA was then able to continue towards Lagos.

Maersk Tema is a 2015-built container ship managed by BSM, and she has a capacity of about 5,000 TEU. Her ownership transferred from Oaktree Capital Management to a holding company in 2019. According to Maersk Group, she is not a Maersk ship, and photos show that she does not wear the Maersk livery.

Source: MDAT-GoG, Lloyd’s List, Maritime Executive