Somali pirates have intensified their attack, hijacking two UAE-based vessels during the last week. A total of about 24 crew from both vessels are currently being held hostage by the pirates, Emirates Business reports.
The first vessel the Panama Flagged MV Leila, owned and operated by the Dubai based New Port Cargo & Shipping. A total of 24 crew men were said to be onboard the vessel when it was captured around 50 nautical miles south-southwest off Ras Al Madrakah, Oman.
However there are conflicting reports about the number of men in the vessel. While Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has reported that 24 crew have been held hostage, according to a report by International Maritime Bureau (IMB) only 15 men were on board the vessel and captured by pirates.
'Somalia Report', quoting sources from local pirates said: "A group of pirates hijacked a new vessel this week. The pirates contacted their friends in the Ceel-Dhanaae area after they had hijacked the vessel."
“The hijackers told us that it is a Panama-flagged ship with 24 crew on board,” said the report quoting a pirate in Garacad.
“I don’t know more details about the vessel right now. The pirates are out of phone service and we are not currently in contact with them.”
Meanwhile, another UAE-owned vessel MV Savina-Fahad was hijacked when it was carrying coal from the Somali town of Kismayo to the UAE.
Ten crew men, mostly from Pakistan have also been held hostage. The vessel was hijacked in the Indian Ocean.
'Somalia Report' quoting a Dubai based businessman confirmed the hijacking and said the ship could be used as a mother boat.
The first vessel the Panama Flagged MV Leila, owned and operated by the Dubai based New Port Cargo & Shipping. A total of 24 crew men were said to be onboard the vessel when it was captured around 50 nautical miles south-southwest off Ras Al Madrakah, Oman.
However there are conflicting reports about the number of men in the vessel. While Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa (MSCHOA) has reported that 24 crew have been held hostage, according to a report by International Maritime Bureau (IMB) only 15 men were on board the vessel and captured by pirates.
'Somalia Report', quoting sources from local pirates said: "A group of pirates hijacked a new vessel this week. The pirates contacted their friends in the Ceel-Dhanaae area after they had hijacked the vessel."
“The hijackers told us that it is a Panama-flagged ship with 24 crew on board,” said the report quoting a pirate in Garacad.
“I don’t know more details about the vessel right now. The pirates are out of phone service and we are not currently in contact with them.”
Meanwhile, another UAE-owned vessel MV Savina-Fahad was hijacked when it was carrying coal from the Somali town of Kismayo to the UAE.
Ten crew men, mostly from Pakistan have also been held hostage. The vessel was hijacked in the Indian Ocean.
'Somalia Report' quoting a Dubai based businessman confirmed the hijacking and said the ship could be used as a mother boat.