Kidnap Incident off Bata, Equatorial Guinea

Incident Details. At approximately 0411 UTC on 3 December 2025, MDAT-GOG reported that a tanker had been attacked in position 01°43’00”N 008°54’12”E, around 52 nautical miles west of Bata, Equatorial Guinea. An unknown number of armed perpetrators boarded the vessel, which open sources identify as the Portugal-flagged LPG carrier CGAS SATURN. At least 9 crew members were abducted and one seafarer was wounded during the attack, while the remaining crew retained control of the ship, which remains afloat and under way as authorities investigate.

Fig1. Location of Incident (52nm west of Bata, Equatorial Guinea)

Comment. There have been at least 17 armed robbery/piracy incidents in the Gulf of Guinea in the last 12 months. Today’s event is the 8th in the area west of Equatorial Guinea and northeast of São Tomé and Príncipe, indicating a particularly active PAG in this part of the GoG. The incident confirms that the kidnap-for-ransom threat to commercial shipping remains significant, especially off Equatorial Guinea. Despite a reduction in overall reported attacks, the successful abduction of crew from a single LPG tanker shows that pirate groups retain both the capability and intent to mount deep-offshore operations against a wide range of merchant vessels.

Assessment. The boarding and kidnap are in line with the established Gulf of Guinea modus operandi, with pirates targeting crew for ransom rather than the vessel or cargo. The attackers likely approached in a small craft, rapidly boarded and overpowered the crew, then withdrew with the abducted seafarers towards shore locations under their control. The vessel’s status under the command of a reduced crew suggests the immediate attack phase has ended, but the hostage situation remains ongoing. Ships operating in the area are advised to maintain heightened vigilance, consider the use of a Security Escort Vessel and Armed Security Team where possible, and adhere to BMP-Maritime Security.