An LPG carrier sailing off the West African coast has been attacked by pirates, with nine crew members abducted and one person injured, according to security reports.
The vessel, identified as CGAS Saturn, was en route to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, when it was boarded by armed attackers about 50 nautical miles offshore. The 3,090-deadweight-ton ship, built in 2003 and flying the Portuguese flag, is 75 metres long.
Maritime security firm Vanguard said an unknown number of assailants stormed the vessel and gathered the crew. Reports from Diaplous indicate that the pirates looted personal belongings during the нападение. One seafarer sustained minor injuries and was treated on board, the ship’s operator, Christiania Gas, confirmed.
Before leaving, the attackers abducted nine crew members. The second and third captains, a deck officer and an oiler were left behind on the vessel. A Portuguese Navy patrol boat was deployed to intercept the ship, while the company said the CGAS Saturn has since reached safe waters.
Christiania Gas said its emergency response team has been activated and is working closely with relevant authorities.
Security analysts from Neptune P2P Group said the incident underscores the persistent kidnap-for-ransom threat facing commercial shipping in the region. They noted that at least 17 piracy and armed robbery incidents have been recorded in the Gulf of Guinea over the past year. The International Maritime Bureau ранее reported that 15 incidents occurred in 2025, with 14 crew members kidnapped between January and September.
