Oil tanker with 22 Indians goes missing off West African coast; India seeks Nigeria's help

Oil tanker, MT Marine Express, with 22 Indians onboard is presumably missing off the coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea.

Representational image (Pic courtesy: en.wikipedia.org - The coast of Benin with Cotonou port in the background)

New Delhi: An oil tanker with 22 Indians onboard is presumably missing off the coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea. Indian authorities based in Nigeria have sought the country's help in locating the missing oil tanker.

"A merchant vessel Marine Express (oil tanker), owned by Mumbai-based Anglo-Eastern shipping company with 22 Indian nationals onboard, is presumably missing off the coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea," Ministry of External Affairs tweeted.

"Our mission in Abuja (Nigeria) is in touch with the authorities in Benin and Nigeria for their help in locating the ship and is constantly monitoring the situation. A 24-hour helpline number set up by the Embassy for information on those missing is +234-9070343860," the MEA said another tweet.

A merchant vessel Marine Express (oil tanker), owned by Mumbai-based Anglo Eastern shipping company with 22 Indian nationals onboard, is presumably missing off the coast of Benin in the Gulf of Guinea. — Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 3, 2018

Our Mission in Abuja (Nigeria) is in touch with the authorities in Benin and Nigeria for their help in locating the ship and is constantly monitoring the situation. A 24-hour helpline number set up by the Embassy for information on those missing is +234-9070343860

— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 3, 2018

The owners of the tanker, which was loaded with gas oil, have urged the Directorate General of Shipping in Mumbai to get in touch with their counterparts in Nigeria and Benin to carry out search operations for the merchant ship.

We regret that contact has been lost with the AE-managed MT Marine Express while at Cotonou, Benin. Last contact was at 03:30 UTC, Feb 1. Authorities have been alerted and are responding. Our top priority is the safety of the crew, whose families have been contacted. Updates TBA. — Anglo-Eastern (@angloeasterngrp) February 2, 2018

According to reports, MT Marine Express carrying 13,500 tonnes of gasoline vanished from West Africa and a possibility of hijack is high.

Meanwhile, Nigerian authorities have alerted all boats to look out for the missing tanker ship and if sighted to report to the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Anti-Piracy Reporting Centre immediately in London. 

(With ANI inputs)