Pirates kidnap nine crew members aboard Norwegian shipping vessel anchored off Benin coast

Pirates have boarded a Norwegian shipping vessel and kidnapped nine crew members while at anchor off the coast of Benin.

The remaining crew on the MV Bonita, owned by Norwegian shipping firm J.J. Ugland, alerted the local authorities, the company said in a statement on Sunday.

The vessel docked at the port city of Cotonou later on Saturday, the company added.

"The Ugland Emergency Response Team are handling this situation as per contingency plans, and they are in contact with relevant authorities," it said in a statement.

The families of the crew members have been contacted and will be kept informed by Ugland.

"Further updates will be given as and when new confirmed information is available and releasable."