Bangladeshi Cargo Ship Hijacked in Indian Ocean: Heads for Somalia
A Bangladeshi cargo ship has been seized by pirates in the Indian Ocean and is now sailing towards the coast of Somalia, according to reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The pirates, believed to be Somalian, boarded the vessel using two boats, one large and one small. Thankfully, UKMTO officials report that the 23 crew members are unharmed, though they are being held captive by the 22 armed pirates now on board.
The ship’s last known location was at position 0149N 05425E, which indicates it’s heading towards Somalia. This incident marks a worrying trend – the latest in a string of hijackings by Somali pirates that have seen a resurgence in recent months.
While the maritime security firm Ambrey didn’t confirm the pirates’ nationality, they did reveal that the targeted vessel is a Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier, a large ship designed to transport massive cargo loads. Reuters reported that the ship was carrying 55,000 tons of coal and was traveling from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.
Al-Jazeera identified the vessel as MV Abdullah, owned by Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills. The company’s CEO, Meherul Karim, is quoted as saying, “A group of 15-20 Somali pirates hijacked the ship.”
UKMTO has advised other ships in the area to exercise caution and has launched an investigation into the incident.
Somali pirates were a major threat to international shipping between 2008 and 2018. Their activity had subsided in recent years, but troublingly, it appears they are becoming more active again. Data compiled by the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa reveals over 20 attempted or successful hijackings of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin since November last year. This highlights a concerning rise in piracy and underscores the need for increased vigilance in these crucial waterways.
A Bangladeshi cargo ship has been taken over by a group of unauthorized armed individuals in the Indian Ocean and is currently headed towards the coast of Somalia. Reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations indicate that the vessel was boarded by multiple people using two boats, one large and one small.
The crew members are reported to be safe, but there are 22 armed individuals on board without authorization. The ship’s last known location was recorded at 0149N 05425E, steering towards the Somali coast on a heading of 315 degrees.
This incident marks the latest in a series of attacks by pirates in the region. However, it’s not explicitly confirmed whether the perpetrators are Somali pirates, as maritime security firm Ambrey has not specified their identity. According to Reuters, the ship in question is a Bangladesh-flagged bulk carrier, typically used for transporting large cargo loads, en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates.
Identified as MV Abdullah, the vessel was transporting 55,000 tonnes of coal, according to Al-Jazeera, which sourced the information from Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills, the vessel’s owner. Meherul Karim, the CEO of Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills, stated that a group of 15-20 Somali pirates hijacked the ship.
In response to the incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations has issued a caution to other vessels in the vicinity and is conducting an investigation. Somali piracy, which was a significant issue in global maritime trade from 2008 to 2018, had largely subsided until a resurgence in late last year.
Data from the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa, the coordinating body for the European Union’s anti-piracy operation EUNAVFOR, reveals that there have been over 20 hijackings or attempted hijackings of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin since November.
