A hijacked Malaysia-flagged tanker Zafirah was recovered by Vietnam Marine Police on Thursday after the crew abandoned the ship following an earlier piracy hijack incident, Seatrade Asia online reports.
Zafirah was located southeast of Vung Tung in Vietnam waters and Vietnamese police have apprehended all 11 pirates, who boarded the tanker with long knives and pistols, according to ReCAAP.
On 21 November, a Vietnamese fishing vessel rescued the nine crew of 1,125dwt Zafirah and they were reported to be in good condition.
“From various other sources, it was assessed that the tanker had been hijacked and the hijackers might be targeting to sell the marine gas oil onboard the tanker illegally in Vietnam waters/port,” ReCAAP said. The tanker was carrying 320,173 litres of marine gas oil.
“The good cooperation and information sharing among (various) agencies has contributed towards the rescue of the crew, recovery of Zafirah and apprehension of the pirates,” ReCAAP added.
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