African-Kalmia

While the 'African Kalmia' was anchored at Owendo anchorage, Gabon, around six armed pirates in a skiff came alongside the vessel and attempted to hook on a ladder in order to board the vessel on Dec 21, 2019, at 10.30 p.m. The pirates threatened the crew with their weapons. The alarm was subsequently raised, and the port authorities were notified. Seeing the alerted crew, the armed pirates aborted the boarding and fled. The vessel and crew were reported to be safe.

In the night of Dec 21, 2019, fast boats attacked four ships at the anchorage of the port of Libreville, including two of the Sigapêche, the 'Guoji 866' and 'Guoji 867', the 'Tropic Dawn' and the 'African Kalmia'. The Gabonese national Aymar Mboumba Mbina, captain of the 'Tropic Dawn' was killed, and two Chinese employees of the company Sigapêche were kudnapped. The defense and security forces in collaboration with Interpol tried to find the hijackers. Measures were taken by the government to protect maritime traffic.