Norwegian ship attacked by pirates

The Norwegian ship "Viking Forcados" was attacked by pirates off the coast of Nigeria in the early hours of Tuesday morning, but the pirates failed in their attempt at capturing the vessel. No one was injured in the attack.

The pirates used speed boats, and a few men managed to enter the vessel, but the crew barricaded themselves in the superstructure, and after two hours the pirates left, after having fired a couple of shots through a porthole.

However, no one of the 52-men crew was harmed, and the ship was early Tuesday moving out into open waters.

"Viking Forcados" was engaged in repairing a pipeline for the company Exxon Mobil in Eastern Nigeria when the pirates attacked.

Eidesvik Offshore CEO Jan Fredrik Meling says to NRK that the security in the area has up to now been considered good, but that this will now have to be considered carefully if the ship is to continue its mission there.

(NRK)

Rolleiv Solholm