A report from London Based Maritime Security Specialists, Dryad Global, indicates that the Liberian flagged Heavy Load carrier ZHEN HUA 7 (IMO9166560) was boarded while drifting 78nm NW of Sao Tome resulting in the kidnap of 14 crew.
It is understood that 14 crew (Chinese nationals) have been kidnapped. The vessel is understood to have had a crew of 27 personnel. The vessel is inbound Sao Tome escorted by the Italian Naval vessel Frederico Martiningo.
This incident was the 8th offshore incident within the Gulf of Guinea within 9 days.
