Stowaway incidents stay frequent at West African ports
A number of circumstances reported regardless of intensive inspections
Repatriation typically includes excessive prices, fines, and delays
Prevention and early reporting stay vital
The China P&I Membership offers key data referring to stowaway incidents and loss prevention measures, highlighting the continuing dangers at West African ports and the significance of proactive methods to guard vessels and crew, experiences SAFETY4SEA.
Case research
Throughout the 2025 P&I yr, the quantity and geographic distribution of stowaway circumstances dealt with by the Membership present that incidents stay frequent in Africa, significantly at West African ports. The Membership highlighted 4 consultant circumstances occurring all year long.
Case 1
In February 2025, a vessel departed Lagos, Nigeria, sure for Kribi, Cameroon. Previous to departure, the captain reported that two stowaway prevention inspections had been carried out and security confirmed.
A number of days later, after anchoring at Kribi, a stowaway was found on a deck ladder by an obligation sailor. The person said that he had boarded the vessel earlier and hidden within the crane management room. Following discovery, the crew accommodated him in a cabin and, with the help of the native transport agent, organized repatriation from Kribi.
Case 2
In Might 2025, a vessel berthed at Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, for practically one week to load cargo. In accordance with the captain, earlier than departure the crew and an onshore canine search workforce performed stowaway inspections protecting cargo holds, cranes, forepeak, lifeboats, rescue boats, lodging areas, air-con rooms, and the steering gear room, with no stowaways discovered.
Regardless of these measures, just a few days into the voyage a stowaway was found hiding in a lifeboat. The person was finally repatriated at a mid-voyage bunkering port.
Case 3
In August 2025, a vessel carried out unloading operations at Lagos, Nigeria. After completion of cargo operations and in any case stevedores had left, an area canine search workforce boarded to help with stowaway inspections.
In accordance with the captain, no stowaways have been detected following joint checks and secondary inspections. Nonetheless, upon arrival at Owendo, Gabon, the chief engineer reported knocking sounds close to the aft of the steering gear room. Inspection revealed 9 stowaways hid within the rudder trunk. All have been safely recovered utilizing the ship’s rope ladder and have been later repatriated at Owendo.
Case 4
In October 2025, after departing Lagos, Nigeria, a vessel referred to as at Lomé, Togo. A passing tugboat noticed stowaways on the rudder and reported the state of affairs to the captain. An inspection confirmed 13 stowaways, all of whom had boarded secretly through the early hours whereas the vessel was berthed in Lagos. Repatriation was organized from Lomé.
Case dealing with
When a stowaway incident happens, the captain should report in accordance with Security Administration System necessities, instantly notifying the shipowner or administration firm and, as instructed, the agent and port authorities. The shipowner ought to then promptly notify the P&I Membership to rearrange repatriation.
After receiving a report, the P&I Membership verifies the state of affairs with the shipowner and, the place obligatory, contacts native brokers to help with repatriation on the port of disembarkation. In most nations, port authorities require shipowners to bear the total price of repatriation, which can embrace fines. Some authorities require prepayment of all associated charges earlier than permitting disembarkation, and vessels could also be detained till cost is made.
Repatriation prices could embrace visas, air tickets, escort bills, and medical remedy if stowaways are ailing or injured. Fines might also apply. A latest round issued by BUDD Group famous that non-Ghanaian stowaways in Ghanaian ports might lead to a $5,000 effective per stowaway from the port authority and an extra $5,000 from the Ghana Immigration Service, probably totaling $10,000 per stowaway.
When a number of stowaways are concerned, prices escalate and operational dangers improve. In a single case, medical remedy was required for 4 people, and a number of authorities imposed fines totaling $80,000. The vessel was solely permitted to sail in any case repatriation-related prices had been pay as you go.
Stowaway prevention
The circumstances exhibit that stowaways could evade detection regardless of a number of inspections. Contributing components embrace concealment in not often inspected areas akin to crane management rooms, lifeboats, and rudder trunks, in addition to inspection gaps ensuing from superficial checks or negligence.
The Membership emphasised that stowaway incidents stay prevalent at West African ports and that vessels calling at these ports ought to pay further consideration to preventive measures, strictly following related guidelines and steering. If stowaways are found, shipowners are suggested to promptly notify the Membership for help.
Key ideas
Further steering beforehand issued by Gard P&I Membership highlights a number of sensible steps when stowaways are discovered. These embrace looking out the situation for medication, sealing and documenting any findings, confiscating identification papers, looking out people for prohibited objects, questioning every stowaway individually, reviewing shipboard safety preparations, establishing causes for stowing away, explaining the inevitability of repatriation, and sustaining detailed data of the stowaways’ remedy through the voyage in logbooks, supported the place practicable by images or video.
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