Pirates Kidnap Eight Seafarers from MPP at Cameroon Anchorage

Armed pirates have abducted eight crew members from a German multipurpose (MPP) ship at the Douala Anchorage, Cameroon.

On late August 14, 2019, the 2002-built ship MarMalaita was attacked by pirates, Hamburg-based shipping company MC-Schiffahrt confirmed.

After boarding the vessel, pirates kidnapped eight out of the vessel’s twelve crew members.

“We have assembled our emergency response team and are doing utmost to deal with the case, in cooperation with all relevant authorities and crew managers,” MC-Schiffahrt said in a statement.

An investigation into the incident has been launched, IMB Piracy Reporting Centre separately said.

The 10,600 dwt MarMalaita was built by Damen Yichang in China and flies the flag of Antigua & Barbuda, VesselsValue’s data shows.

As of August 19, MarMalaita is still moored at the Douala Anchorage, according to the cargo ship’s AIS data provided by MarineTraffic.