Displaying items by tag: UK Special Forces

26th October 2020

‘Hijacking’ Ends After Special Forces Nighttime Storm of Tankership Stowaways

English Channel Tanker 'Hijacking': "This problem will increase." Former Royal Navy Officer, Chris Parry calls for a 'safe and secure maritime border' after a ship was hijacked off the Isle of Wight.

UK military forces stormed a tanker suspected to have been hijacked off the Isle of Wight which led to seven people detained.

Sixteen members of the Special Boat Service (SBS) ended a 10-hour standoff which started when stowaways on board the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda reportedly became violent.

The stowaways, believed to be Nigerians seeking UK asylum, were handed over to Hampshire Police on Sunday night.

The 22 crew members were found safe.

The ship later docked in Southampton.

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale said British forces descended on to the vessel by rope from four Royal Navy helicopters after nightfall.

"The seven stowaways - believed to be Nigerians seeking asylum in the UK - were detained and handed over to Hampshire Police," he said.

Navios Tanker Management, operator of the crude oil tanker, said the master of the vessel became concerned for the safety of the crew "due to the increasingly hostile behaviour of the stowaways" who had "illegally boarded" in Lagos, Nigeria.

In a statement released on Monday, the company thanked the UK authorities for their "timely and professional response".

More on the English Channel incident here.

Published in Ports & Shipping

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Shannon Foynes Port Information

Shannon Foynes Port (SFPC) are investing in an unprecedented expansion at its general cargo terminal, Foynes, adding over two-thirds the size of its existing area. In the latest phase of a €64 million investment programme, SFPC is investing over €20 million in enabling works alone to convert 83 acres on the east side of the existing port into a landbank for marine-related industry, port-centric logistics and associated infrastructure. The project, which will be developed on a phased basis over the next five years, will require the biggest infrastructure works programme ever undertaken at the port, with the entire 83 acre landbank having to be raised by 4.4 metres. The programme will also require the provision of new internal roads and multiple bridge access as well as roundabout access.