The Marshall Islands has filed a lawsuit with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, accusing Equatorial Guinea of unlawfully seizing the tanker Heroic Idun and mistreating its 26 crew members.
According to the complaint, the incident began on August 8, 2022, when the vessel was waiting to load near Nigeria’s Akpo terminal. After being hailed by an unidentified ship claiming to be the Nigerian Navy, the master – fearing a pirate attack – decided to leave the area. The pursuing vessel, later identified as the Nigerian Navy’s Gongola, failed to board.
Two days later, while drifting in international waters within the Equatorial Guinea EEZ, Heroic Idun was intercepted by the Equatoguinean warship. With guns aimed at the bridge, the tanker was ordered to follow to the port of Luba. The Marshall Islands says it was never informed of the action, which took place outside Equatorial Guinea’s jurisdiction.
On August 14, the master and 14 crewmembers were taken ashore under armed guard and detained in poor conditions – lacking food, clean water, and basic sanitation. The remaining crew stayed aboard under the supervision of naval guards.
Despite the shipowner paying a $2 million “fine” to secure release, the crew and vessel were later handed over to Nigeria, where they faced charges under an obscure antipiracy law. In 2023, after an additional $15 million “restitution” payment, the crew was finally released.
The Marshall Islands claims Equatorial Guinea violated UNCLOS Article 92 by using force on the high seas and seeks compensation exceeding $40 million, including losses, fines, and hardship damages for the crew.
Hearings at the Tribunal are scheduled to continue through mid-October.
Equatorial Guinea faces $40 million lawsuit over unlawful seizure and crew mistreatment of Heroic Idun
