Eitzen Maritime Services ASA

Piracy attack at KoKo, Nigeria

6 Jul, 2009

Singapore, July 4, 2009.
EMS Ship Management, Managers of the chemical /oil tanker Sichem Peace, regret to report that a group of armed men boarded the vessel illegally some 18 miles off Port KoKo, Nigeria, during the evening of July 4th.

Six seafarers were taken hostage and made to leave the anchored vessel with their captors. During the raid, the Security Alert system was triggered and all the relevant authorities notified, including the vessel's flag state, Singapore. The Sichem Peace has now moved to a new position further offshore.

EMS Shipmanagement is currently working with the relevant authorities and professional advisors and doing everything possible to secure the timely and safe release of the crew members. The company is not releasing details of those taken hostage while the families are being informed of the situation.

EMS Shipmanagement emphasizes that the safety of the crew members is the absolute priority and therefore will not be disclosing any material information that might jeopardize their position. The Company would appreciate it if all could understand this position.

Eitzen Maritime Services ASA