MC Schiffahrt has confirmed that its multipurpose vessel MarMalaita was attacked by pirates on August 14 at the Douala anchorage off the coast of Cameroon.
A group of pirates boarded the vessel and abducted eight of MC Schiffhart’s 12 crewmembers.
The German shipping company has assembled an emergency response team and is cooperating with the relevant authorities and crew managers to ensure the safe return of the seafarers.
Reports suggest that a separate attack on a bulker was carried out in the same area, with up to nine seafarers taken hostage. The attacks reportedly occurred within hours of each other.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) has since issued a warning to all ships in Douala.
