Nine Crew Members Kidnapped from LPG Tanker in Gulf of Guinea Pirate Attack
What Happened?
The LPG carrier CGAS SATURN — a Portugal-flagged tanker operated by Christiania Gas — was boarded by armed pirates about 50 nautical miles west of Mbini (Equatorial Guinea).
Nine crew members were abducted by the attackers. Four remaining crew stayed onboard; one of them sustained light injuries and is receiving medical treatment.
Why It Matters?
The region remains a hotspot for maritime piracy and kidnapping-for-ransom. In 2025 alone, there have been numerous incidents of crew being taken from vessels—highlighting persistent security threats to commercial shipping.
Abductions put seafarers and their families at grave risk. Injured crew and prolonged uncertainty cause mental and physical stress, raise humanitarian concerns, and often disrupt maritime operations.