Nine Seafarers Kidnapped After Pirate Attack on LPG Carrier CGas Saturn Off Equatorial Guinea

At least nine seafarers have been kidnapped following a pirate attack on the Portugal-flagged LPG carrier CGas Saturn off the coast of Equatorial Guinea, according to security firm Vanguard. The assault occurred early Monday approximately 50 nautical miles west of Bata.

The 2003-built gas tanker, owned by Denmark’s Christiania Gas, was on route toward Malabo when pirates boarded the vessel. Four crew members were left onboard after the attack, including one who was reportedly injured, likely by a stray bullet during the confrontation.

With a freeboard of just 2.3 meters, the CGas Saturn is considered vulnerable to piracy groups known for their capability to conduct fast, coordinated boardings in the Gulf of Guinea, one of the world’s most challenging maritime security hotspots.

According to ShipAtlas, the carrier changed its course and is assumably on its way out of the high risk area.

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