NIGERIA - The Sichem Peace, a Singapore-flagged chemical / oil tanker, has been boarded and crew members seized by members a Nigerian guerrilla movement off the Niger Delta. The vessel, managed by EMS Ship Management, was attacked some 18 miles off the port of Koko and six crewmen, including the captain, were forced to leave the vessel. The remaining crew then sailed the ship to a safe location some 100 miles off the coast.
In a statement EMS said that it “is currently working with the relevant authorities and professional advisors and doing everything possible to secure the timely and safe release of the crew members.” The company also stated that the vessels security alarms had been activated during the attack.
Member of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (Mend), the group responsible, claimed they had acted after warning the vessel to stay away from the delta. "Their arrest is meant to serve as a warning to others that there are root issues that have to be resolved with the Nigerian government before normalcy can resume," the group said.
This action is the latest in a series of incidents in the Niger Delta which are having a detremental affect to Nigeria's oil production.
(pic: MEND guerrila's patrolling the Niger Delta)
http://www.ems-shipmanagement.com
