Confusion over 'release' of Greek ship
(AFP) – MOGADISHU —
Somali pirates holding a Greek cargo ship Friday accused its owners of constantly changing their minds on deals reached to free the vessel captured more than six months ago.
On Thursday, the pirates said they had freed the ship with its 24 Ukrainian sailors after receiving 3.7 million dollars, but the director of the Athens-based All Ocean Shipping company denied the report as a lie.
"The owners of Ariana are not dealing with us in good faith. They are changing their minds from time to time contrary to the agreements made with them," Abdu Farah, a member of the gang holding the ship, told AFP.
The shipping company's director Spyros Minas said no ransom was paid and if the MV Ariana had been freed "we would have been told by the captain."
He added that his company was ready for talks to free the ship and its crew.
"The pirates have demanded a lot of money. We are ready to negotiate but on the condition we have balanced mediators," he said.
Ukraine's foreign ministry also said it could not confirm that the ship had been freed, but a spokesman added that "all can change very quickly."
Hashi Ahmed, another pirate gang member, also said the ship owners keep changing goal posts.
"We thought the matter was over and everybody was happy when the deal was made, but the situation is changing every time because of the Ariana's owners who don't want to deal with us honestly," he told AFP.
The pirates said they were to take 3.5 million dollars of the total ransom and give Somali mediators the remaining amount.
The Maltese-flagged MV Ariana was seized north of Madagascar on May 2 while on its way to the Middle East from Brazil. It was carrying 10,000 tonnes of soya beans.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Live Piracy Report
Don't forget to consult The Int'l Maritime ABureau's Live Piracy Report. It displays all Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in the last ten days.
Don't forget to consult The Int'l Maritime ABureau's Live Piracy Report. It displays all Piracy and Armed Robbery incidents reported to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre in the last ten days.
Pirates free hijacked ship bound for Somali port
Mon Nov 23, 11:02 am ET
MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Somali businessman says a ship hijacked by pirates off East Africa two weeks ago has been released.
Ali Dheere, the chairman of a group of traders in Mogadishu, says the al-Mizan has arrived in Somalia's capital.
The Panama-flagged, United Arab Emirates-owned cargo ship was carrying electronics, food and other goods. The 18-member crew were all in good condition.
Dheere refused to say whether a ransom had been paid, but a self-proclaimed pirate named Abdi Nor tells The Associated Press that pirates did not demand a ransom since the ship was bound for Mogadishu and carried goods owned by Somalis.
The pirates asked for and received $15,000 for "expenses."
Mon Nov 23, 11:02 am ET
MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Somali businessman says a ship hijacked by pirates off East Africa two weeks ago has been released.
Ali Dheere, the chairman of a group of traders in Mogadishu, says the al-Mizan has arrived in Somalia's capital.
The Panama-flagged, United Arab Emirates-owned cargo ship was carrying electronics, food and other goods. The 18-member crew were all in good condition.
Dheere refused to say whether a ransom had been paid, but a self-proclaimed pirate named Abdi Nor tells The Associated Press that pirates did not demand a ransom since the ship was bound for Mogadishu and carried goods owned by Somalis.
The pirates asked for and received $15,000 for "expenses."
Pirates hijack Greek-owned bulk carrier off Yemen
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier on Thursday in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen, a Kenyan maritime official said on Sunday, but Greek officials said the attack may have been unsuccessful.
The vessel was taken 36 nautical miles off the Yemeni port of Balhaf and news of the seizure only emerged on Saturday, said Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.
"Red Sea Spirit was taken by gunmen off the Yemeni coast last Thursday. She is flying the Panama flag," Mwangura said. "She is a Greek-owned bulk carrier."
However, a Greek merchant marine ministry spokesman said the managers of the ship, Sekur Holdings, did not confirm the incident. Sekur Holdings were not available for comment. More...
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier on Thursday in the Gulf of Aden near Yemen, a Kenyan maritime official said on Sunday, but Greek officials said the attack may have been unsuccessful.
The vessel was taken 36 nautical miles off the Yemeni port of Balhaf and news of the seizure only emerged on Saturday, said Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the Kenya-based East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme.
"Red Sea Spirit was taken by gunmen off the Yemeni coast last Thursday. She is flying the Panama flag," Mwangura said. "She is a Greek-owned bulk carrier."
However, a Greek merchant marine ministry spokesman said the managers of the ship, Sekur Holdings, did not confirm the incident. Sekur Holdings were not available for comment. More...
Somali pirates get $3.3 million ransom, free 36 hostages
By Mohamed Olad Hassan and Daniel Woolls - Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — As a Spanish warship looked on, a $3.3 million ransom was delivered by boat Tuesday and Somali pirates freed a Spanish trawler and its 36 crew members.
Spain's prime minister did little to deny paying off the hijackers — one reason the lucrative attacks are on the rise.
]
"The government did what it had to do," Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told a news conference in Madrid. "The important thing is that the sailors will be back with us. The first obligation of a country, of the government of a state, is to save the lives of its countrymen."
Somali pirates attacked two more ships Monday and still hold about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew, including a British couple who were taken from their 38-foot sailboat last month.
Ali Gab, a self-described pirate, told The Associated Press the hijackers of the Spanish tuna boat Alakrana were paid $3.3 million in ransom, delivered by boat as sailors aboard a nearby warship watched.
After being freed, the trawler steamed away under the protection of two Spanish warships. All crew members were reported to be in good health after more than six weeks in captivity.
In April 2008, the Spanish government reportedly paid a ransom of $1.2 million to win the release of another Spanish trawler seized by pirates off Somalia with 26 crew members on board.
That ordeal lasted a week. More...
By Mohamed Olad Hassan and Daniel Woolls - Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — As a Spanish warship looked on, a $3.3 million ransom was delivered by boat Tuesday and Somali pirates freed a Spanish trawler and its 36 crew members.
Spain's prime minister did little to deny paying off the hijackers — one reason the lucrative attacks are on the rise.
]
"The government did what it had to do," Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told a news conference in Madrid. "The important thing is that the sailors will be back with us. The first obligation of a country, of the government of a state, is to save the lives of its countrymen."
Somali pirates attacked two more ships Monday and still hold about a dozen ships with more than 200 crew, including a British couple who were taken from their 38-foot sailboat last month.
Ali Gab, a self-described pirate, told The Associated Press the hijackers of the Spanish tuna boat Alakrana were paid $3.3 million in ransom, delivered by boat as sailors aboard a nearby warship watched.
After being freed, the trawler steamed away under the protection of two Spanish warships. All crew members were reported to be in good health after more than six weeks in captivity.
In April 2008, the Spanish government reportedly paid a ransom of $1.2 million to win the release of another Spanish trawler seized by pirates off Somalia with 26 crew members on board.
That ordeal lasted a week. More...
Nicolas Cage visits Kenyan jail to talk to pirates
(AP) - MOMBASA, Kenya — Film star Nicolas Cage has visited a Kenyan prison holding suspected Somali pirates awaiting trial to highlight the problem of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
(AP) - MOMBASA, Kenya — Film star Nicolas Cage has visited a Kenyan prison holding suspected Somali pirates awaiting trial to highlight the problem of piracy in the Indian Ocean.
Inmates danced for the movie star and shook his hand as he toured the Shimo La Tewa prison in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa. The prison has become a model for other jails in the country because of the reform work of its chief warden, Wanini Kireri.
Cage, a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador on Drugs and Crime, told The Associated Press Television News on Tuesday that he wanted to meet with some of the suspected Somali pirates, hear their stories and understand what is fueling piracy off the Somali coast.
"Then I'm in a position where I can actually make some sense and talk about it when I go back to the States where I go talk to different U.N. councils and discuss the matter," Cage said.
Cage also gave out awards during his Tuesday visit to wardens in recognition of their outstanding work. He left Kenya Wednesday.
Somali pirates are currently holding around a dozen ships and more than 200 crew, and attacks have increased in recent weeks as seasonal rains subsided.
On Wednesday, pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama for the second time in seven months, though private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship repelled the attack with gunfire and a high-decibel noise device.
An international flotilla of warships now patrols the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden, but pirates continue to carry out attacks because of the millions of dollars that can be made from a successful hijacking.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Pirates Free Crew of Spanish Ship
Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Pirates freed 36 crew members from a Spanish trawler Tuesday after holding them for more than six weeks. A self-proclaimed pirate said the hostage-takers were paid $3.3 million in ransom, while Spain's prime minister said the country did what it had to do.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the tuna boat Alakrana "is sailing toward safer waters. All of its crew members are safe and sound." The release came despite the fact that two Somali pirates in Spanish custody soon will stand trial for kidnapping and related charges. More...
Associated Press
MOGADISHU, Somalia -- Pirates freed 36 crew members from a Spanish trawler Tuesday after holding them for more than six weeks. A self-proclaimed pirate said the hostage-takers were paid $3.3 million in ransom, while Spain's prime minister said the country did what it had to do.
Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said the tuna boat Alakrana "is sailing toward safer waters. All of its crew members are safe and sound." The release came despite the fact that two Somali pirates in Spanish custody soon will stand trial for kidnapping and related charges. More...
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Somali Pirates Move Couple Onto LandBritish captives were taken off a hijacked ship as pirates reportedly debated on demanding a ransom or a prisoner exchange.November 1, 2009 - By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN and MOHAMMED IBRAHIM - International / Africa
British Couple Held Off Somali CoastNAIROBI, Kenya — Somali pirates said Thursday that they had moved a British couple seized from their sailboat last week to a container ship ...October 30, 2009 - By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN and MOHAMMED IBRAHIM - International / Africa
Europe Seizes Pirates Who May Have Helped Kidnap BritonsEuropean Union naval officials announced they had captured seven pirates who had attacked a fishing ship a day before the British couple ...October 29, 2009 - By JACK HEALY and MOHAMMED IBRAHIM - International / Africa
British Man Describes Kidnapping by Pirates - Readers' Comments ...why hasn't the UN done something about the pirates? is this not the sort of international problem they were created to handle? ...October 28, 2009 - Community.nytimes.com/comments/thelede Blog
Officials Fear Somali Pirates Kidnapped a British CoupleA couple sailing from the island nation of Seychelles vanished after a distress signal was picked up.October 28, 2009 - By JOHN F. BURNS - International / Africa
British Couple Held Off Somali CoastNAIROBI, Kenya — Somali pirates said Thursday that they had moved a British couple seized from their sailboat last week to a container ship ...October 30, 2009 - By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN and MOHAMMED IBRAHIM - International / Africa
Europe Seizes Pirates Who May Have Helped Kidnap BritonsEuropean Union naval officials announced they had captured seven pirates who had attacked a fishing ship a day before the British couple ...October 29, 2009 - By JACK HEALY and MOHAMMED IBRAHIM - International / Africa
British Man Describes Kidnapping by Pirates - Readers' Comments ...why hasn't the UN done something about the pirates? is this not the sort of international problem they were created to handle? ...October 28, 2009 - Community.nytimes.com/comments/thelede Blog
Officials Fear Somali Pirates Kidnapped a British CoupleA couple sailing from the island nation of Seychelles vanished after a distress signal was picked up.October 28, 2009 - By JOHN F. BURNS - International / Africa
Somali Pirates Seize Weapons Ship, Attack Tanker
MOGADISHU (Reuters)
Somali pirates have seized a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship loaded with weapons bound for the anarchic Horn of Africa nation in contravention of a U.N. arms embargo, maritime experts said on Monday.
Also on Monday, the gunmen launched their longest range hijack attempt yet -- opening fire on a giant Hong Kong-flagged crude oil tanker 1,000 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.
Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme told Reuters he believed the weapons ship was using a fake name. He said it had been hijacked on Sunday and was now held near the northern Somali town of Garacad.
"She is one of the regular weapons carriers circumventing the U.N. arms embargo on Somalia," Mwangura said. Maritime sources say the craft is believed to be carrying light arms and ammunition, as well as rockets and rocket-propelled grenades.
"We understand the weapons belong to the Somali government," Farah, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite telephone. More...
MOGADISHU (Reuters)
Somali pirates have seized a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship loaded with weapons bound for the anarchic Horn of Africa nation in contravention of a U.N. arms embargo, maritime experts said on Monday.
Also on Monday, the gunmen launched their longest range hijack attempt yet -- opening fire on a giant Hong Kong-flagged crude oil tanker 1,000 nautical miles east of Mogadishu.
Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme told Reuters he believed the weapons ship was using a fake name. He said it had been hijacked on Sunday and was now held near the northern Somali town of Garacad.
"She is one of the regular weapons carriers circumventing the U.N. arms embargo on Somalia," Mwangura said. Maritime sources say the craft is believed to be carrying light arms and ammunition, as well as rockets and rocket-propelled grenades.
"We understand the weapons belong to the Somali government," Farah, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite telephone. More...
Somalia: Pirates Attack Oil Tanker
AP: November 9, 2009
Somali pirates attacked an oil tanker and fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades on Monday farther out at sea than in any previous assault, suggesting that the pirates’ abilities were growing as they increased activity off East Africa. Pirates in two skiffs fired at the Hong Kong-flagged BW Lion about 1,000 nautical miles east of the Somali coast, the European Union Naval Force said. The tanker’s captain increased speed and took evasive maneuvers, avoiding the attack, the force said. No casualties were reported. Pirates have carried out increasingly bold attacks on vessels in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in hopes of capturing ships and crews and collecting ransom. They currently hold more than 190 hostages, including a British couple seized from their yacht last month.
AP: November 9, 2009
Somali pirates attacked an oil tanker and fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades on Monday farther out at sea than in any previous assault, suggesting that the pirates’ abilities were growing as they increased activity off East Africa. Pirates in two skiffs fired at the Hong Kong-flagged BW Lion about 1,000 nautical miles east of the Somali coast, the European Union Naval Force said. The tanker’s captain increased speed and took evasive maneuvers, avoiding the attack, the force said. No casualties were reported. Pirates have carried out increasingly bold attacks on vessels in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden in hopes of capturing ships and crews and collecting ransom. They currently hold more than 190 hostages, including a British couple seized from their yacht last month.
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