The hijacking of a general cargo ship off Cameroon in mid-May has focused attention on piracy in west Africa. The master and chief mechanic of North Spirit were taken hostage in the incident, which occurred near Douala. The St Vincent and Grenadines-flagged ship, carrying 6,261 tonnes of fertiliser and soya, was boarded by about 20 armed men who forced the 7,148dwt ship to head towards Douala, where the pirates disabled all radio and navigation equipment and stole valuables, computers, money and personal effects.
展开▼
