Teekay MADRID SPIRIT attacked 7NM SW of Sao Tomé

On February 8^th, around 1658 UTC, some 47NM SW of Sao Tomé Island, the Spanish-flagged LNG carrier MADRID SPIRIT (IMO: 9259276) was approach and attacked by a speedboat with several perpetrators onboard. Shots were fired against the vessel. No further information currently available.

The MADRID SPIRIT is managed by Teekay LNG Partners L.P., Singapore

This the 12^th offshore incident this year and notably this is the fourth attack recorded within 2021 that occurred outside the JWRC HRA.

Total incidents throughout West Africa in 2020 showed a partial increase of 12% on those of 2019. Incidents involving failed approaches showed a significant increase within 2020 with 25 such incidents recorded against 10 in 2019. 

It is highly likely that the attack was perpetrated by the same grouping that targeted the SEA PHANTOM on the 6th February. It is highly likely that further incidents will occur within the coming days. As such the risk level for all vessels operating within the Gulf of Guinea is to be considered CRITICAL. 

It is the ARX recommendation that all owners and operators install correct and enhanced primary hardening measures. These include the ARX ABaC System and the ARX Evictor. The ARX Anti-Piracy Barrier will stop a boarding taking place.