Update: 12 crew kidnapped see http://maritimebulletin.net/2018/04/23/dutch-freighter-attacked-12-crew-kidnapped-nigeria/
Dutch ship owner ForestWave Navigation issued a statement, which says that their general cargo ship FWN RAPIDE was attacked by pirates on Port Harcourt approaches, Nigeria, Bight of Bonny, in the morning Apr 21. Several crew members were kidnapped.
Statement:
Groningen, April 22, 2018 Managers ForestWave report that yesterday morning its general cargo vessel FWN Rapide was under attack from pirates prior to entering the port of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Based on the initial information we have received it appears sadly a number of our valued crew have been taken from the vessel.
Forestwave have had temporary contact with the remaining crew on board and is currently in the process of establishing further contact with the ship in order to verify the information. Meanwhile the company is making arrangement to move FWN Rapide to a safe position.
ForestWave would like to stress that the safety of our seafarers is our absolute priority. The company’s emergency response team has been activated and is monitoring the situation extremely closely. We are currently in close contact with the authorities and taking professional advice in order to secure the earliest release of those that are currently being held. Together with our local representatives in the countries of origin of our valued seafarers we are keeping the families of the FWN Rapide crew informed about the situation.
ForestWave will not be providing any further information in order not to jeopardise the safety of those involved.
The ship was en route from Takoradi Ghana to Onne Nigeria.
General cargo ship FWN RAPIDE, IMO 9320520, dwt 10609, built 2005, flag Netherlands, manager FORESTWAVE NAVIGATION BV.
