Ukrainian Captain & Greek Engineer Kidnapped By Nigerian Sea Pirates

Some high sea pirates have attacked an oil products
tanker off the coast of Nigeria and kidnapped its
Ukrainian captain and a Greek engineer, Greek coast
guard officials said on Tuesday.
The 6,500 ton Marshall Islands-flaggged MT ALTHEA
with 18 crew on board was attacked by a group of 10
pirates, the officials said. The ship's manager,
Piraeus-based Medtankers Management, confirmed
the attack.
"We are doing everything we can for their release,"
an official at the firm said on condition of anonymity,
adding that so far, no ransom demand had been
received.
"They kidnapped the two men but did not touch the
cargo (oil) or injure anyone."
The ship was attacked late on Monday around 35
nautical miles off the oil-producing Niger Delta
coastline, a Nigerian security source said. The armed
pirates fled with the two hostages in a speedboat,
the source said.
The Nigerian navy is investigating, a spokesman
said.
Pirate attacks off Nigeria have jumped by a third this
year as ships passing through West Africa's Gulf of
Guinea, a major commodities route, have come
under threat from gangs wanting to snatch cargoes
and crews.
Unlike the waters off Somalia on the east African
coast, where ships now speed through with armed
guards on board, there is little protection for many
vessels which have to anchor off West African
countries to do business.
This makes them targets for criminals and raises
insurance costs. Kidnapped sailors and oil workers
taken in Nigerian waters are usually released after a
ransom is paid.

Sent From David Aniemeka