Somalia attacks continue despite naval presence
David Osler
Several new attacks on merchant shipping have occured in Somali waters in recent days, despite renewed efforts by many of the world’s navies to tackle the growing scourge, NATO sources confirmed today.
Information released by the 26-nation military alliance indicates that there were at least six incidents last week, and further incidents are known to have taken place this week, although details have yet to be declassified.
Open source intelligence sources suggest that a thwarted attempt to board a vessel took place on Monday, failing because the pirates lacked ladders of sufficient length to carry out the task.
Meanwhile, seafarer unions have been stepping up the pressure for greater efforts on behalf of their members, hundreds of whom have been taken hostage.
Families of the 18 Indian nationals being held on Stolt Valor (25,269 dwt, built 2003) staged a protest in Mumbai on Tuesday, which attracted support from several hundred seafarers.
Shipowners and the International Transport Workers’ Federation earlier this week agreed agreed a deal under which all seafarers on board ships covered by industry standard International Bargaining Forum agreements get double pay while transiting the Gulf of Aden near Somalia.
A spokesman for Nautilus UK said today that the British officers’ union is preparing a claim to the Chamber of Shipping for a war risk agreement, covering its members where they are not covered by the IBF understanding.
According to NATO, there were four attacks or approaches between September 26 and October 1, with victims including the boxships Georg Maersk (9,000 teu, built 2006) and Ever Unicorn (5,652 teu, built 2000), the bulk carrier Vancouver Victory (64,310 dwt, built 1981) and another chemtanker, Athena IV (1,952 dwt, built 2004).
The Greek-managed chemtanker Genius (10,006 dwt, built 1991) was ambushed, chased and fired upon before being captured on September 25, while the world’s attention was turned to the seizure of Faina (10,931 gt, built 1978), the Ukrainian-owned ro-ro with over 30 Russian tanks on board, which took place the same day.
The Liberia-flagged Genius is thought to have 19 Romanian seafarers on board.
A spokesman for the company confirmed that contact had been established with the vessel, and that as far as he was aware, all of those being held are in good health. Other than that, he did not wish to comment further.
Several new attacks on merchant shipping have occured in Somali waters in recent days, despite renewed efforts by many of the world’s navies to tackle the growing scourge, NATO sources confirmed today.
Information released by the 26-nation military alliance indicates that there were at least six incidents last week, and further incidents are known to have taken place this week, although details have yet to be declassified.
Open source intelligence sources suggest that a thwarted attempt to board a vessel took place on Monday, failing because the pirates lacked ladders of sufficient length to carry out the task.
Meanwhile, seafarer unions have been stepping up the pressure for greater efforts on behalf of their members, hundreds of whom have been taken hostage.
Families of the 18 Indian nationals being held on Stolt Valor (25,269 dwt, built 2003) staged a protest in Mumbai on Tuesday, which attracted support from several hundred seafarers.
Shipowners and the International Transport Workers’ Federation earlier this week agreed agreed a deal under which all seafarers on board ships covered by industry standard International Bargaining Forum agreements get double pay while transiting the Gulf of Aden near Somalia.
A spokesman for Nautilus UK said today that the British officers’ union is preparing a claim to the Chamber of Shipping for a war risk agreement, covering its members where they are not covered by the IBF understanding.
According to NATO, there were four attacks or approaches between September 26 and October 1, with victims including the boxships Georg Maersk (9,000 teu, built 2006) and Ever Unicorn (5,652 teu, built 2000), the bulk carrier Vancouver Victory (64,310 dwt, built 1981) and another chemtanker, Athena IV (1,952 dwt, built 2004).
The Greek-managed chemtanker Genius (10,006 dwt, built 1991) was ambushed, chased and fired upon before being captured on September 25, while the world’s attention was turned to the seizure of Faina (10,931 gt, built 1978), the Ukrainian-owned ro-ro with over 30 Russian tanks on board, which took place the same day.
The Liberia-flagged Genius is thought to have 19 Romanian seafarers on board.
A spokesman for the company confirmed that contact had been established with the vessel, and that as far as he was aware, all of those being held are in good health. Other than that, he did not wish to comment further.