By Kruah Thompson
MONROVIA, August 10, 2026 — The IB Atlantic IV, a vessel being monitored by Liberian authorities after suspicious movements in regional waters, has entered Ivorian waters and is heading toward Abidjan amid unconfirmed reports that it has been intercepted by Ivorian security authorities.
As of Sunday, August 9, there had been no official confirmation from Ivorian authorities that the vessel had been arrested or taken into custody.
Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracking data showed the IB Atlantic IV, identified by IMO number 8502133 and MMSI 620999913, en route to the Port of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, traveling at approximately 2.1 knots. It was expected to arrive in Abidjan on August 10 at about 12:00 UTC.
Reports that Ivorian authorities had intercepted the vessel circulated over the weekend, but the claims had not been independently verified.
The latest development comes days after Liberian authorities disclosed that the vessel had been designated a “vessel of interest” following what officials described as suspicious movements between Sierra Leonean and Liberian waters.
Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah said the Ministry of National Defense received a communication on July 18 from Agon Kruah, a recently dismissed official at Roberts International Airport, acting on behalf of an individual identified as Adi Alamtu.
The communication concerned the IB Atlantic IV MORONI, which was reportedly experiencing mechanical problems and needed assistance.
According to Piah, the communication indicated that the vessel was critically low on engine lubricating oil and urgently required fresh water, food and engine oil because it could no longer safely continue its voyage.
Authorities were also informed that arrangements had been made for a service vessel to deliver the supplies, but an escort from the Liberia Coast Guard was requested because the service vessel reportedly lacked the navigational capacity to complete the mission independently.
Piah said the Coast Guard treated the communication as a notification from the vessel’s reported local agent, Madrid and Company Incorporated, and conducted an assessment.
The assessment established that the vessel was initially in Sierra Leonean territorial waters, meaning Liberian authorities could not intervene without authorization from Sierra Leone.
However, Piah said the Coast Guard considered the vessel’s movements and activities suspicious and subsequently designated it a vessel of interest.
Liberian authorities then increased monitoring of the vessel in coordination with regional maritime partners beginning August 1.
According to Piah, the Liberia Coast Guard’s Maritime Operations Center detected the vessel crossing from Sierra Leonean waters into Liberian territorial waters on Sunday, August 2.
A patrol operation was subsequently launched to intercept the vessel, but authorities said it moved farther into deeper waters as Coast Guard personnel approached, eventually going beyond the operational range of Liberia’s patrol assets.
“Somebody reports that a vessel is in distress, and as the Coast Guard moves to provide assistance, the vessel begins moving away instead of waiting to be rescued,” Piah said. “That naturally raises suspicion.”
Piah said Liberia subsequently activated regional maritime security cooperation mechanisms and requested assistance from neighboring countries to track and intercept the vessel.
The government has not publicly disclosed evidence linking the IB Atlantic IV to narcotics trafficking or other criminal activity.
Its movement has attracted heightened public attention amid ongoing investigations into major cocaine seizures in Liberia and government efforts to determine the extent of possible international trafficking networks operating in the country.
With the vessel now reported in Ivorian waters, attention is expected to turn to authorities in Côte d’Ivoire for confirmation of whether it has been intercepted, detained or allowed to continue its voyage.
