Ghana Navy Probes Pirate Attack on Fishing Vessel Amid Rising Maritime Security Concerns
The Ghana Navy has launched an investigation into a suspected pirate attack on the Ghanaian-registered fishing vessel, MENGXIN 1, which was targeted in Ghanaian waters on the evening of Thursday, March 27, 2025.
According to a statement from the Ghana Armed Forces on Saturday, March 29, the assault occurred at approximately 5:53 PM when seven armed assailants boarded the vessel, firing warning shots. The crew, caught off guard, sought refuge in a secure area as the attackers seized control of the ship for approximately three hours.
During the incursion, the pirates gathered the crew on deck and confiscated their mobile phones. Following their departure, the crew discovered that the Captain, Chief Mate, and Chief Engineer—all Chinese nationals—were missing, raising concerns of a possible abduction.
With no mobile network coverage at sea, the remaining crew members, who were unharmed, navigated closer to land to report the incident. The vessel has since docked safely at the Tema Fishing Harbour, where Marine Police and Naval Intelligence personnel from the Eastern Naval Command conducted initial interrogations. Authorities have since confirmed the suspected abduction.
The attack underscores the persistent threat of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, a region that has seen fluctuating levels of maritime crime in recent years. In response, Ghanaian authorities have shared intelligence with neighbouring countries through the ECOWAS Multinational Maritime Coordination Centre (MMCC) Zone F in Accra, operating under the Yaoundé Architecture for regional maritime security. The collaboration aims to mobilise international efforts to track down the perpetrators.
Brigadier General E. Aggrey-Quashie, Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces, sought to reassure the public, stating that intelligence agencies were deploying all necessary resources to locate and rescue the missing crew members.
The Ghana Navy, in coordination with regional and global security partners, remains committed to addressing maritime threats and ensuring the safety of vessels operating in Ghanaian waters. The incident comes as West African nations continue to grapple with evolving security challenges in a region critical to global trade.
