The St Vincent & Grenadines flagged cargo ship MV RAK AFRIKANA has been hijacked this morning April 11th, approximately 280 nautical miles west of Seychelles, EU NAVFOR press release said.
Previously, EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft spotted the MV and reported 8 POB (3 of them possible pirates) and several fuel barrels. ITS Scirocco from CTF 508 is heading towards the position to investigate. The RAK AFRIKANA has currently stopped due to engine problems. MV RAK AFRICANA has deadweight of 7,561 tons and is owned by Rak Afrikana Shipping LTD from Seychelles. The nationality of the crew is at this moment unknown.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast of Somalia.