Deep Blue Vessel Foils Attempted Piracy Attack on MT Endo Ponente Off Lome, Togo

A timely intervention by Nigeria’s maritime security assets has prevented what could have been a major piracy incident in the Gulf of Guinea. The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), through its Deep Blue Project, once again demonstrated its capacity to protect international shipping lanes and safeguard crew members navigating the volatile waters of West Africa.

At precisely 20:53 hours on Thursday, August 28, 2025, NIMASA’s state-of-the-art C4i Centre in Lagos received a distress 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, MT Endo Ponente, near Lome Port, Togo. The incident was recorded at position 05°10’N, 001°23’E, triggering an immediate regional security response.

Further intelligence monitoring placed the distressed vessel within Ghana’s Exclusive Economic Zone at coordinates 04°19’16”N, 01°35’59”E. Without delay, the Special Mission Vessel DB Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Navy under the Deep Blue Project, was mobilized to close in on the tanker.

In line with international best practices, the crew of Endo Ponente retreated to the Citadel—a fortified safe room designed to shield seafarers during piracy attempts—while awaiting rescue. The swift coordination between NIMASA, the Nigerian Navy, and regional maritime agencies ensured that the attackers were deterred, and the vessel secured from harm.

Dr. Dayo Mobereola, Director General of NIMASA, praised the quick response and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to regional maritime 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,” he said.

The Endo Ponente, a moderate-risk Maltese-flagged chemical tanker, regularly operates across West, Central, and Southern African waters. Its most recent port call was at Kalamu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Broader Context

The Gulf of Guinea remains a critical artery for global maritime trade, accounting for a significant portion of Africa’s crude oil and gas exports. However, for more than a decade, it has also been one of the world’s piracy hotspots, with criminal gangs targeting vessels for ransom and cargo theft.

Although the number of successful piracy incidents has dropped significantly in recent years due to enhanced regional cooperation, coordinated naval patrols, and the deployment of Nigeria’s Deep Blue assets, attempted attacks like that on the Endo Ponente underline the persisting risks.

Launched in 2021, the Deep Blue Project represents Nigeria’s most comprehensive maritime security initiative. It integrates air, land, and sea assets, including Special Mission Vessels, fast interceptor boats, unmanned aerial vehicles, and a cutting-edge C4i command centre. Its deployment has been widely credited with reducing piracy incidents in Nigerian waters, while also boosting international confidence in shipping safety across the Gulf of Guinea.

Regional Security Collaboration

Experts note that the success of the Deep Blue Project also lies in its ability to work seamlessly with neighboring states and regional security bodies. In this case, collaboration between Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana was critical in tracking the movements of Endo Ponente and deploying timely intervention.

Maritime analysts argue that sustaining this momentum will require continuous investment in security assets, intelligence sharing, and capacity building among Gulf of Guinea states.

For shipowners, seafarers, and international trading partners, the latest incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of maritime security in the region—but also of the growing effectiveness of coordinated response mechanisms.

As global trade continues to pass through West African waters, NIMASA’s decisive response to the Endo Ponente incident reinforces Nigeria’s leadership role in regional maritime security and the importance of sustained vigilance to deter criminal threats.