Maltese-flag bulker hijacked
Somali pirates have hijacked 31,838 dwt Maltese-flag bulk carrier, according a US spokesman. Although Saturday's hijacking has not yet been confirm by German-based owner Johann MK Blumenthal it appears that the pirates have managed to pull off yet another hijacking despite the much active profile foreign warships in recent weeks.
Andrew Mwangura, of the East Africa Seafarers Association, are 17 crew members onboard the freighter, our correspondent in Nairobi reported.
According to the US Navy the ship was seized about 190 miles south-east of the Yemeni coastal city of Muqalla, a spokesman for the 5th Fleet told DPA.
Meanwhile local reports suggest that two more vessels, the products tanker Sea Princess II and the bulker Saldhana, held by pirates in Somalia have been freed. The Sea Princess II was seized on 3 January this year en route to the islands of Socotra. After lengthy negotiations, the ship and its 15 crew have been released and will apparently berth at Bosaaso to resupply before heading to Yemen under guard.
The Greek-owned Saldhana has been released too after a US$1.9m ransom payment was made. The bulker, carrying a cargo of Australian coal, and its 22 crew were seized on 22 February.
Warships from a number of countries were involved in an operation over the weekend to refuel and re-supply with food and water the parcel tanker Stolt Strength which had run out of fuel and was adrift after being released by pirates last week.
Andrew Mwangura, of the East Africa Seafarers Association, are 17 crew members onboard the freighter, our correspondent in Nairobi reported.
According to the US Navy the ship was seized about 190 miles south-east of the Yemeni coastal city of Muqalla, a spokesman for the 5th Fleet told DPA.
Meanwhile local reports suggest that two more vessels, the products tanker Sea Princess II and the bulker Saldhana, held by pirates in Somalia have been freed. The Sea Princess II was seized on 3 January this year en route to the islands of Socotra. After lengthy negotiations, the ship and its 15 crew have been released and will apparently berth at Bosaaso to resupply before heading to Yemen under guard.
The Greek-owned Saldhana has been released too after a US$1.9m ransom payment was made. The bulker, carrying a cargo of Australian coal, and its 22 crew were seized on 22 February.
Warships from a number of countries were involved in an operation over the weekend to refuel and re-supply with food and water the parcel tanker Stolt Strength which had run out of fuel and was adrift after being released by pirates last week.