PIRATES boarded the 76,623-dwt Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Bonita outside Benin's Port of Cotonou, kidnapping nine crewmen, according to the Norwegian shipowner, JJ Ugland, reported CNN
PIRATES boarded the 76,623-dwt Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Bonita outside Benin's Port of Cotonou, kidnapping nine crewmen, according to the Norwegian shipowner, JJ Ugland, reported CNN. The ship was anchored and awaiting a berth at Cotonou to discharge gypsum, a mineral used in making fertiliser, plaster and drywall. Remaining crew contacted local authorities.
A report released in July from the International Maritime Bureau said the 'seas around West Africa remain the world's most dangerous for piracy.'
The report said 73 per cent of all kidnappings at sea and 92 per cent of hostage-takings took place in the Gulf of Guinea - off the coasts of Nigeria, Guinea, Togo, Benin and Cameroon - from January to June this year.
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