The Liberian-flagged, Danish-owned tanker was attacked within the Gulf of Guinea, seen as one of many world’s most harmful delivery routes.

Pirates attacked and boarded a Danish-owned ship within the Gulf of Guinea on Saturday and all communications channels with the vessel are down, a spokesperson for delivery firm Monjasa mentioned.

All 16 crew members sought refuge in a protected room on board the Monjasa Reformer vessel, a spokesperson for the delivery firm mentioned on Tuesday.

The Liberian-flagged oil and chemical tanker, which was sitting idle, was attacked about 140 nautical miles west of the Republic of the Congo’s Port Pointe Noire.

The vessel is operated by Dubai-based Montec Ship Administration, which is owned by Monjasa.

Montec reported the incident to a maritime cooperation centre operated by the British and French navies to take care of security within the Gulf of Guinea. In line with Monjasa, the operator is working with all related maritime authorities within the area, together with a number of navies.

The Gulf of Guinea, described by the Worldwide Maritime Bureau (IMB) as one of many world’s most harmful delivery routes, covers 11,000 sq. kilometres (4,247sq miles) and stretches from Angola to Senegal.

Danish naval patrol killed 4 pirates in an change of fireside simply exterior Nigeria’s territorial waters in November 2021.