A gang seized control of the 37,800-dwt Cotton (built 2007)under 20 nautical miles north of Port Gentil, Gabon, officials andanti-piracy experts say.
The pirates struck 200 nautical miles from their previoussoutherly success in the region, in an area which was previously consideredsafe.
“Everybody was caught off guard,” one expert told TradeWinds.
Turkish officials have told the AFP news agency a crew of 20Indian seafarers were on board when the attack took place.
Geden, which is in the midst of restructuring efforts, lostcontact with the vessel after the hit on Sunday night, Turkish officials havesaid.
While no previous hijacking or piracy incident has been recordedin the region; on one occasion a hijacked tanker was taken to Gabon to dischargecargo, experts tell TradeWinds.
The tanker’s last know position was 00:26.49S -008:51.45E. Geden could not be reached for comment.
