Nigerian Navy Thwarts Vessel Hijacking Attempt

UAL America The Nigerian Navy has foiled an attempted hijacking of a merchant vessel some 16 nautical miles off the coast of Bonny, Nigeria. Six persons in a skiff boarded a general cargo ship underway in the early morning hours on July 13, according to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre. IMB added that the alarm was raised, SSAS was activated and all crew retreated to the citadel. The Nigerian Navy boarded the ship and found all crew safe. The vessel in question was reportedly the 2012-built general cargo ship UAL Houston, operated by US-based shipping firm UAL America. World Maritime News contacted the company for more details on the matter, however, they are yet to reply. According to AIS data provided by Marine Traffic, the 8,703 dwt vessel is currently on its way from Nigerias port of Onne to the port of Luba in Equatorial Guinea. World Maritime News Staff