At 20:53hrs on Thursday, August 28, 2025, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) received an urgent alert from the Maritime Domain Awareness for Trade (MDAT) Gulf of Guinea Watchkeepers. The report detailed an attempted boarding of the Malta-flagged chemical tanker ENDO PONENTE near Lome Port, Togo (coordinates: 05°10’N, 001°23’E).
Following the alert, NIMASA’s C4i Centre tracked the vessel’s movement and later confirmed its position within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone at 04°19’16”N, 01°35’59”E.
In response, the Special Mission Vessel DB Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Navy under the Deep Blue Project, was immediately deployed and is currently approaching the distressed tanker.
The crew of ENDO PONENTE followed international security protocols by retreating to the Citadel—a fortified safe room designed to protect personnel during maritime threats.
NIMASA is actively coordinating with the Nigerian Navy and regional maritime security partners to ensure the safety of the crew and to support investigations into the incident.
Commenting on the situation, NIMASA Director General Dr. Dayo Mobereola reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to regional security:
“NIMASA remains committed to strengthening security collaboration across the Gulf of Guinea to safeguard seafarers, deter criminal activity, and ensure safer maritime trade, leveraging on the Deep Blue Project.”
The ENDO PONENTE, a moderate-risk chemical tanker flying the Maltese flag, typically operates across West, Central, and Southern Africa. Its last recorded port of call was Kalamu, Democratic Republic of Congo.