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The contact to the "Marine Express" which was hijacked off Benin in West Africa has been restored. The tanker was now back under the command of the captain and crew. The full control of the vessel was resumed at 4:00 a.m. on Feb 6. All crew members were reported to be safe and in good condition. The load of 13,500 tonnes of gasoline was still on board. All families of the crew members have been informed of the situation. The operator did not provide further information about the incident itself. A complete investigation into the hijacking will be carried out.

The "Marine Express" with 22 Indians on board, continued to be missing by Feb 5 with no communication reported for the last three days, off the Benin coast in the Gulf of Guinea. The last contact with the vessel was while it was at anchorage at Cotonou. The Indian Mission in Nigeria was in contact with the Nigerian Navy and other agencies, while the Directorate General of Shipping was also coordinating the efforts as it involved Indian sailors. The Nigerian authorities have alerted all boats to look out for the missing ship and inform shipping authorities if it is sighted. The 22 sailors have been appointed on the ship by the city-based Anglo Eastern Shipping. The owners, the Ocean Transit Carrier SA, have set up a dedicated helpline for the families of the Indian crew. The Indian Mission in Nigeria was in touch with the authorities concerned and the situation was being constantly monitored.