Robbery - Ikungulu Anchorage, Democratic Republic of the Congo

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Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

09 October 2025, 0246 hrs UTC

Location:

Ikungulu Anchorage, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Latitude/Longitude: 

5° 51' 58.80" S, 13° 24' 51.60" E

Vessel Name, Type, Flag and Status:

Tanker, Marshall Islands, Anchored

Incident Type:

Robbery

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

On October 9, 2025, at 02:46 UTC, a robbery occurred aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged Tanker anchored at Ikungulu Anchorage, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The crew spotted two armed perpetrators aboard the vessel. The alarm was raised, and the crew was mustered. As a result, the robbers escaped with items from the ship's stores. The incident was reported to authorities on VHF Channel 16.

Response Actions

- Security Incident Reported
- Other Authorities

Stolen Items

- Ship Supplies

Key findings

This incident demonstrates a common tactic used by opportunistic criminals targeting anchored vessels. The perpetrators likely approached the Tanker using a small boat under the cover of darkness. Their quick escape upon discovery suggests they were not prepared for a confrontation, prioritizing theft over violence. The crew's prompt response in raising the alarm and mustering likely prevented a more serious outcome. However, the successful theft of the ship's stores indicates potential vulnerabilities in the vessel's security measures, particularly during nighttime hours at anchorage.

Recommendations

- Implement enhanced night watch rotations with additional lookouts when anchored.

- Secure all ship's stores in locked compartments, especially valuable or easily portable items .

- Consider deploying physical barriers (e.g., razor wire) to deter unauthorized boarding.

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