Maersk Maya Targeted by Pirates

Singapore-flagged oil products tanker Maersk Maya was boarded by pirates while anchored in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on February 22.

“While at anchor, the security on watch sighted some perpetrators armed with guns at the ship’s forecastle area,” Asian piracy watchdog ReCAAP ICC informed.

Once sited, the crew raised the alarm, and sounded the general alarm.

Seeing the alertness of the crew, one of the perpetrators reportedly fired a shot at the deck crew. Fortunately, none of the crew members were injured in the incident as the crew managed to hide inside the accommodation premises.

The perpetrators cut the mooring rope eye and left the ship, ReCAAP added.

Details on whether the perpetrators stole any stores from the ship were not provided.

The incident was reported to the local authorities.

The MR2 tanker, built in 2009, is currently underway using engine, bound for Houston, USA, according to its AIS data.

As World Maritime News understands the product tanker vessel was on a long-term time-charter agreement with Maersk Tankers. The vessel was delivered back to its owners on December 9, 2017.

For the duration of the agreement, the vessel was named Maersk Maya and the intention is to rename the vessel within a reasonable time after redelivery to its owners.