A press report states: Asphalt tanker Bitu River (IMO: 9918133), which was boarded by three armed pirates, approximately 38 nautical miles southeast of Santo Antonio (Sao Tome and Principe), near position lat 01 18 56N, long 008 01 42E, West Africa, at 2130 hrs, Mar 17: According to reports, the vessel was en route from Lome, Togo to Douala, Cameroon at the time of incident.
Reports suggest the intention was kidnapping, with up to 10 seafarers abducted, though this remains unconfirmed. It was reported that the vessel had been drifting in the area for about an hour when the incident took place. The crew had retreated to the citadel, the maritime intelligence company reported.
Vessel owner has lost contact with the master. The Company security officer has reported that the perpetrators are still on board. Updated reports indicated there are five pirates on the vessel. The incident as ongoing. No injuries have been reported.
As per later statement from CSO of the company that the pirates have now disembarked and are clear of the tanker. The vessel is now proceeding to Libreville for refuge. Ten crew members (Romanian and Indian nationals) were reportedly abducted by the pirates about them there is no clear picture.
The vessel is managed by Maritec Tanker Management Private Limited, Mumbai. As per the last AIS report from the vessel at 0815 GMT/19th Mar 2025, vessel is stationery off Point Dennis in Gabon in position 01 17 28N, long 008 24 28E,.