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Eastern Pacific Shipping condemn armed seizure of tanker in Cameroon

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Ofer’s Eastern Pacific Shipping has condemned the seizure of its aframax the Barents Sea by armed militia at port Cameroon in an apparent commercial dispute.

The vessel by Cameroon charterer DSC Marine and local military forces armed with AK47s while unloading Sonara Refinery in Limbe.

The Singapore-registered vessel had 26 crew on board at the time of the seizure.

“Eastern Pacific Shipping condemns this act of unprovoked aggression and strongly urges the Cameroonian government to enforce its security forces to safely and immediately release the vessel and the 26 crew on board in accordance with international law,” Eastern Pacific Shipping said in a statement.

“The safe release of our crew, which includes nationals from India, Ukraine, China, Philippines and Turkey is our main priority. There have been no reports of physical injuries.”

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According to local reports the tanker had been in commercial dispute with DSC Marine owned by François Fomawa having been anchored off Limbe, loaded with a cargo of crude oil, since mid-December.

“We are working with The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) as well as the government of nationals on board to encourage the Cameroon Government to expedite the vessel's release,” the company said.