Up to 50 Pirates Hijack Bulk Carrier In N. Arabian Sea

Pirates hijacked the MV SINAR KUDUS approximately 320 nautical miles northeast of the island of Socotra Wednesday morning, the EU NAVFOR said.

The Indonesian flagged ship was sailing to Suez from Singapore when she was attacked. The 20 Indonesian crewmembers sent out a distress signal and reported that 30 to 50 pirates had boarded and taken control of the ship.

According to EU NAVFOR, on Thursday pirates used the SINAR KUDUS as a mother ship to attack the Liberian flagged bulk carrier, MV EMPEROR. Five pirates launched a skiff and attempted to board the vessel. An onboard security team deterred the pirates and the EMPEROR continued on her route.

Also on Thursday, Tunisia’s transport ministry announced that the MV Hannibal II had been released, after a $2 million ransom had been paid. The MV Hannibal II was hijacked on November 11, 2010.

According to the IMB Piracy Reporting Center, pirates are currently holding 28 vessels and 587 hostages.