Piracy & Ship Attacks May 11, 2010
German chemical tanker hijacked
On Saturday, May 8, the MARIDA MARGUERITE a 13000-ton chemical tanker was hijacked 120 miles south of Salalah (Oman). The ship is a Marshal Island flagged, German owned tanker carrying a crew of 22 (19 Indian, 1 Ukranian, 2 Bangladeshi) who are all believed to be well.
Pirates approached the ship firing automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades from their skiff. Crew reported seeing pirates climb aboard. A passing merchant ship tried to make contact by VHF radio, but received a response from the bridge of the vessel to “go away.” EUNAVFOR is continuing to monitor the situation.
Russia frees captured Somali pirates
President Dmitry Medvedev released 10 Somali pirates who were captured during a military operation to free an oil tanker last week.
The hijackers were captured Thursday May 6, aboard the MV MOSCOW UNIVERSITY, which was carrying oil worth $52m from Sudan to China when it was attacked in the Gulf of Aden a day earlier.
A Russian warship the MARSHAL SHAPOSHNIKOV, found the tanker and freed it and its crew of 23 after a firefight with the pirates. One pirate was killed and the other 10 were arrested.
Despite Medvedev’s promise for tough action against the pirates, the captives have been disarmed and freed. The Russian defense ministry suggested that the cost of prosecution and imprisonment was a factor in the release.
Taiwan flagged fishing vessel hijacked
Thursday, May 6, a Taiwan flagged fishing vessel TAI YUAN 227 was hijacked 700 miles north east of Seychelles.
A pirate skiff firing automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades boarded the ship in the afternoon. The ship has a crew of 28 (9 Chinese, 3 Vietnamese, 3 Filipinos, 7 Kenyans and 2 Mozambique) and is currently heading towards the Somali coat.
Hijacked Bermuda Cargo Ship Released
Early Tuesday morning (May 11) the Bermuda flagged cargo ship MV TALCA was released. The ship was hijacked on March 23, approximately 120 miles off the coast of Oman, and the crew of 22 was taken hostage.
On Saturday May 8, ransom was dropped onto the ship but the pirates remained with on board until yesterday morning.
At least 20 vessels and more than 283 crew members are in Somali pirate hands at the moment.