A Greek-owned oil tanker has been hijacked by suspected Somali pirates off the coast of Oman, the ship's operator said Friday.
According to Athens-based Dynacom Tankers, Liberian-flagged Smyrni, carrying 135000 tonnes of oil, was seized Thursday some 300 nautical miles east of the Omani coast .
The company said in a statement that the management's "top priorities are the safe return of the ship and crew and the integrity of the cargo."
Media reports indicated some 15 crew members on board the seized vessel, mainly Indians and Filipinos. The ship was reportedly sailing from Turkey to Indonesia when it was boarded by pirates Thursday.
It is understood that the ship is currently moving towards Somalia's coastline. Basing their calculations on the present course and speed of the ship, experts expect it to reach Somalia around midday on Saturday.
Piracy continues to be a menace on the vital sea route in the Arabian Sea between Yemen and Somalia, which connects the Persian Gulf and Asia to Europe and beyond via the Suez Canal. It is critical to Gulf oil shipments.
Somalia's coastline, particularly the Gulf of Aden, has been infested with pirates in recent years. Pirates are presently believed to be holding at least ten ships and more than 240 hostages. The incidents mostly end with payment of ransom after lengthy negotiations, but generally without any fatalities.
Pirate attacks off the Somali coast and in the Indian Ocean continue despite the presence of several warships deployed by navies of the NATO, the European Union, Russia, China, South Korea and India to protect cargo and cruise ships against piracy.
In recent months, pirates have extended their operations deep into the Indian Ocean to avoid interception by international anti-piracy forces conducting regular patrols in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Source: RTT Staff Writer
According to Athens-based Dynacom Tankers, Liberian-flagged Smyrni, carrying 135000 tonnes of oil, was seized Thursday some 300 nautical miles east of the Omani coast .
The company said in a statement that the management's "top priorities are the safe return of the ship and crew and the integrity of the cargo."
Media reports indicated some 15 crew members on board the seized vessel, mainly Indians and Filipinos. The ship was reportedly sailing from Turkey to Indonesia when it was boarded by pirates Thursday.
It is understood that the ship is currently moving towards Somalia's coastline. Basing their calculations on the present course and speed of the ship, experts expect it to reach Somalia around midday on Saturday.
Piracy continues to be a menace on the vital sea route in the Arabian Sea between Yemen and Somalia, which connects the Persian Gulf and Asia to Europe and beyond via the Suez Canal. It is critical to Gulf oil shipments.
Somalia's coastline, particularly the Gulf of Aden, has been infested with pirates in recent years. Pirates are presently believed to be holding at least ten ships and more than 240 hostages. The incidents mostly end with payment of ransom after lengthy negotiations, but generally without any fatalities.
Pirate attacks off the Somali coast and in the Indian Ocean continue despite the presence of several warships deployed by navies of the NATO, the European Union, Russia, China, South Korea and India to protect cargo and cruise ships against piracy.
In recent months, pirates have extended their operations deep into the Indian Ocean to avoid interception by international anti-piracy forces conducting regular patrols in the Gulf of Aden, off the Somali coast and parts of the Indian Ocean.
Source: RTT Staff Writer
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