Glasgow-managed tanker attacked off Nigeria
And eight crew of tug kidnapped...

Gunmen attacked a Frontline VLCC, the FRONT CHIEF on Sunday along with at least two tugs in the vicinity of an oil terminal near Bonny, Rivers State in Nigeria say reports.

According to reports the gunmen swooped on the tanker and two tugs, reportedly killing one of the crew on an as yet un-named tug whilst capturing eight Nigerian crew on the LAMNALCO WAXBILL.

The export terminal is run by Royal Dutch Shell Plc.

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta claimed that one of its 'affiliates' had carried out the attack to send a message to oil companies in the region that the military could not protect them.

According to the BBC the militants used the WAXBILL to make an assault on the FRONT CHIEF, boarding the VLCC and ransacking it whilst the crew of the tanker took refuge in the hold. Reportedly the militants threatened to blow the ship up.

They left the vessel after stealing some 'equipment' said the BBC after seeing a Shell security briefing.

However local press reports tell a rather different story. According to the Nigerian online newspaper, Punch:

"A security source said the gunmen, who came in speedboats, stormed the platform at about 10.pm and opened fire on an oil tanker, “Front Chief,”...

"The source said despite the gunfire that was unleashed on the vessel, the crewmen, braved the situation and refused to allow the militants to come on board."

The 311,224 dwt FRONT CHIEF is commercially managed by V.Ships UK's Glasgow office at Elliot Place and chartered by Frontline.