⚠️ Gulf of Guinea: Ship Hijacked, 10 Crew Kidnapped

On 17 March 2025, a Panama-flagged bitumen tanker — the Bitu River — was HIJACKED by armed PIRATES approximately 37 nautical miles southeast of São Tomé and Príncipe.

THE CAPTAIN AND CHIEF ENGINEER TAKEN HOSTAGE

Ten attackers boarded the vessel while it was underway. Despite the crew attempting to shelter in the citadel and engine room, the pirates breached their defences and kidnapped 10 crew members, including the Captain and Chief Engineer.

Those abducted include seven Indian nationals and three Romanians. The remaining crew later navigated the vessel to Libreville, Gabon, where the ship is currently anchored under guard.

THE FAMILIES OF THE HOSTAGES SPEAK OUT

Among the kidnapped is Lakshmana Pradeep Murugan. His brother, Ram Praveen, described the events:

“The pirates have kidnapped 10 officers. The other crew members were confined to a cabin and were threatened with execution.”

What We’re Seeing

This isn’t just opportunistic theft — it’s organised, deliberate, and escalating.

Already in Q1 of 2025, six vessels have been boarded off the coasts of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Three of those attacks have led to crew abductions.

What’s clear is that pirates in this region are well-informed, armed, and increasingly emboldened. They’re targeting command staff and using threats of lethal force to overwhelm resistance — even when basic anti-piracy measures like citadels are in place.

The Bottom Line

This wasn’t a fluke — it was a calculated, violent operation. And it happened in waters many thought were “calmer.”

The reality? If pirates can breach a citadel and vanish with 10 crew, then the standard playbook isn’t working.

It’s time to move beyond outdated measures. If you’re serious about protecting your

crew, cargo, and reputation, then you need protection that physically prevents boarding — not just deters it.

Review your current setup. Ask yourself: if this happened to one of our ships tomorrow, would we be ready?

If the answer is anything but a confident yes — let’s fix that.

No pressure. No hard sell. Just a better way forward.