West African pirates clearly didn’t get the memo on social distancing. Undeterred by the global coronavirus pandemic, piracy is still rife and insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea in particular continues to blight the lives of seafarers working in the region. As the industry seeks to strength security measures with the latest publication of ‘Best Management Practice’ focused on the Gulf of Guinea hot-spot, the Podcast this week explores how seafarers are having to deal with yet another layer of risk. Joining the podcast this week we have Bimco’s head of safety and security Jakob Larsen and Stephen Askins, Partner at Tatham & Co - Maritime Solicitors

Master of the 60,435 dwt bulk carrier sounded the alarm, forcing the pirates to abort their attack, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence

This is the first incident in the area this year. However, there were four incidents at Port Libreville and the Owendo Anchorage in 2019

In the event, the Indonesian navy deployed two vessels and a helicopter to apprehend the pirates

UNCLOS is not clear enough on what constitutes a ‘genuine connection’ between a ship and its flag state

Ocean freight spot prices from Rotterdam to Shanghai rose 24% in the past week, 45% higher than for the same period last year. Meanwhile, the spread between high and lower sulphur marine fuel oil is contracting, which has slashed earnings premiums for scrubber-fitted vessels.

Dryad Global reported that the Greece-flagged, 50,922 dwt Minerva Virgo chemical and oil tanker was attacked

The International Transport Intermediaries Club warned shipmanagers to be vigilant and check all invoices related to the coronavirus outbreak

‘Masters should be pleased the court has recognised they must have the discretion to run their ships as they see fit,’ says Stephen Askins of Tatham