Tanker Attacked by Pirates in Gulf of Guinea, Shipping Risks Re-emerge
A chemical tanker — likely Endo Ponente — is reported hijacked 56 nautical miles off Lomé, marking a rare but sharp reminder of rising risks in the Gulf of Guinea.
The crude oil tanker Vilamoura (IMO: 9529293) – managed by Greek operator TMS Tankers – reported an explosion off the coast of Libya on June 27. The incident was confirmed by a spokesperson from the company, as reported by TradeWinds.
The 158,000 DWT tanker was transiting the Mediterranean with a cargo of approximately 1 million barrels of crude oil when the incident occurred. The explosion was reported to have taken place in the vessel’s engine room, roughly 80 nautical miles off the Libyan coast.
No injuries to the crew or environmental pollution have been reported.
Vilamoura – which sails under the flag of the Marshall Islands – had departed Zueitina Port (LOCODE: LYZUE) in Libya and was en route to Gibraltar at the time of the incident.
The oil service vessel Boka Summit (IMO: 9315575) arrived at the Vilamoura’s location near Benghazi (LOCODE: LYBEN) on the afternoon of June 29. AIS tracking data from ShipAtlas shows that the Vilamoura is now under tow, traveling at approximately four knots in the central Mediterranean toward Greece.