N
News Crew
Guest
Things are again slow off the coast of Somalia this week, but there were a couple of late developments early this morning. Somali pirates have released the Masindra 7, a Malaysian tugboat they captured back in December, I was unable to find any details about the ransom, but I am sure that one was paid. Pirates also released a German container vessel, HANSA STAVANGER, seized back in April after they were paid a $2.7 million dollar ransom. According to all the information I have been able to find, that leaves aproximately 10 ships and crew still being held by Somali pirates :SERENITY: The catamaran sailing for Madagascar from the Seychelles with three people aboard, was seized in March 2009. INDIAN OCEAN EXPLORER: Seized March 2009. The 35-meter boat was built in Hamburg as an oceanographic research vessel. It accommodates about 12 passengers. Pirates have freed the seven crew. WIN FAR 161: Taiwanese tuna boat, seized April 6, 2009. SAMARA AHMED: Seized April 10, 2009. The Egyptian fishing vessel was detained with 16 crew. MOMTAZ 1: Seized April 10, 2009. The Egyptian fishing vessel was detained with 18 crew. BUCCANEER: Seized April 11, 2009. The Italian tugboat, owned by Micoperi Marine Contractors, was carrying 10 Italians, five Romanians and a Croatian, and was seized towing two barges while traveling westbound through the Gulf of Aden. IRENE E.M.: Seized April 13, 2009. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged Greek-owned bulk carrier was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. Its Filipino crew of 21 was unharmed.ARIANA: Seized May 2, 2009. The Ariana was seized north of Madagascar en route to the Middle East from Brazil. The 24-strong Ukrainian crew were said to be unhurt. The ship, flying a Maltese flag, belongs to All Oceans shipping in Greece. A Ukrainian ship was hijacked on the same day in the Indian Ocean with a cargo including U.N. vehicles. Maritime officials were unable to confirm this seizure. CHARELLE: Seized on June 12, 2009. The 2,800-tonne cargo ship carrying about nine crew, was attacked 60 miles south of Oman. Lloyds reported the vessel was owned by shipping firm Tarmstedt International. HORIZON-1: Seized on July 8, 2009. The 34,173 dwt bulk carrier, believed to be carrying sulphate, was hijacked with 23 Turkish crew aboard.Sources: Reuters/Ecoterra International/International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Center/Lloyds List/Inquirer.net  Not a whole lot on the ICC piracy report this last week, but there were a few incidents, read on for this weeks Weekly Piracy Report! Read more... (http://piratesahoy.net/history/real-pirates/426-real-pirates-weekly-piracy-report.html) View the full article