INCIDENT OVER
Event: Hijack (IMB Level I)
Date and Time: 1 February 2018
Location: Cotonou Anchorage, Benin
Position: 06°15.97”N, 002°30.49”E (last position received prior to hijack)
Vessel Details
Name: Marine Express
Callsign: 3FHX2
IMO: 9403322
Type: Tanker
LOA: 180m
Beam: 33m
Description: ARC has received several reports of the tanker Marine Express missing from Cotonou Anchorage. Vessel lost communication on morning of 1st February
2018 with last AIS update early in the morning.
Update: The managers of the Marine Express confirmed that at 2000UTC on 5th February 2018 the vessel was back under the control of the captain and crew. All crew are reported as safe and well and
the cargo of 13,500 tons of gasoline is still on board. There have been no details yet released on whether a ransom was paid to secure the vessel. The vessel’s AIS has also been turned back on.