Somali pirates release Malaysian ship
Captain Ernest confirmed from the bridge of the vessel steaming northwards. The all-Indonesian crew of 11 seafarers is said to be all right, given the circumstances after the presently second longest sea-jacking case.
The vessel was released last night after a ransom was paid. The vessel and it's barge was captured on 16th December 2008 on the way back to Malaysia from Mukallah in Yemen, where it had been operated under a contract from French oil-giant TOTAL.
Since Malaysia and Indonesia did not co-operate to achieve a fast release but left it to the Malaysian shipowner, MASINDRA SHIPPING (M) from Bandar Sultan Sulaiman - Port Klang Malaysia, the case did drag on for months with many dangerous episodes, triggered by the conning way in which the owner was handling the affairs.
Over long streches the crew felt completely abandoned. One engine of the tugboat was damaged during the first night of the sea-jacking and provisionally repaired. Vessel, barge and crew therefore are approaching the nearest harbour for repairs and bunker.
The vessel was released last night after a ransom was paid. The vessel and it's barge was captured on 16th December 2008 on the way back to Malaysia from Mukallah in Yemen, where it had been operated under a contract from French oil-giant TOTAL.
Since Malaysia and Indonesia did not co-operate to achieve a fast release but left it to the Malaysian shipowner, MASINDRA SHIPPING (M) from Bandar Sultan Sulaiman - Port Klang Malaysia, the case did drag on for months with many dangerous episodes, triggered by the conning way in which the owner was handling the affairs.
Over long streches the crew felt completely abandoned. One engine of the tugboat was damaged during the first night of the sea-jacking and provisionally repaired. Vessel, barge and crew therefore are approaching the nearest harbour for repairs and bunker.