Somali pirates release hijacked ship with SL crew

17 March 2017 03:00 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Somali pirates released a hijacked oil tanker and its eight Sri Lankan crew on Thursday, a Somali security official and the pirates said, bringing the first hijacking since 2012 to an unusually swift conclusion without the payment of a ransom.

The release followed a gunfight earlier in the day between the pirates and the marine force, and then intensive negotiations between the marine force, clan elders and the pirates.

"There has been discussion going on after the gunfight of this afternoon ... We pulled our forces back and so the pirates went away," said Abdirahman Mohamud Hassan, the director general of the maritime police force for Somalia's semi-autonomous northern region of Puntland.
A pirate confirmed the release was made without a ransom payment. In previous hijackings, many crews remained in captivity for years before a ransom was paid. Eight Iranians are still being held.

But the pirates said they agreed to forego a ransom after learning that Somali businessmen had hired the ship, which was taking oil from Djibouti to the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Pirates have traditionally been wary of tangling with Somalia's powerful businessmen.

"After we came to know that the Somali traders hired the oil tanker, we released it without a ransom," pirate Abdullahi told Reuters.

The release will be seen as a success for the regional Puntland government and its counter-piracy force, which is funded by the United Arab Emirates.

The hijacking was the first time Somali pirates have taken over a commercial ship since 2012 and followed an outpouring of anger by locals over foreign fishermen flooding into their waters. The Somalis are also angry with their government for licensing some of the ships.

The vessel was hijacked on Monday. Residents living near where it was being held said four civilians were injured by stray bullets during Thursday's gunbattle.

In their heyday in 2011, Somali pirates launched 237 attacks off the coast of Somalia, data from the International Maritime Bureau showed, and held hundreds of hostages.
But attacks fell sharply after crews put safety measures into place and regional naval forces stepped up patrols. Some pirates returned to fishing, and others became involved in smuggling people and weapons across the Red Sea to Yemen. (Reuters)

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Comments - 9

Ajith Friday, 17 March 2017 07:06 AM

Great news. So much relief to all specially the families of the crew. Hats off to all involved in the rescue operation.

ANTON Friday, 17 March 2017 07:15 AM

SETTLEMENT WITHOUT A BLOOD SHEDDING CONFLICT, THAT IS REAL HUMANITY, THANKS LORD.

Seaman Friday, 17 March 2017 08:41 AM

One has to be really tough to go out to sea (Merchant Navy), facing all perils, extreme weather and rough seas, away from family for months, confined to ship for longer periods, endless paperwork (unfortunately now) to keep the authorities happy and on top of all above one has to be brave to deal with pirates. Seamen are big foreign exchange earners as well without much recognition. In the mean time shipping ministry is fast asleep, Wake up !!

Dr.Watson Friday, 17 March 2017 08:51 AM

That is good news. Even the pirates know that they can not get feathers from a tortoise.

JAN Friday, 17 March 2017 09:02 AM

Well done professionally handle pirated ship By Anti pirate Maritime Unit of PUTLAND AND African Maritime Pirate unit to free All 8 Srilankans and vessel Thanks for professional Marine units via DM Android App

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 17 March 2017 09:20 AM

It is known that the Captain failed to observe safety and security considerations when passing this sea lane. The ship was sailing too close to the shore and slow speed and also failed to obtain regional coordination with the existing protection Navy's in the area. Basically this ship was an easy target for Pirates in a very known Pirate infested area. The Sri Lankan flag ship has very poor safety standards onboard.

Yehiya Friday, 17 March 2017 11:53 AM

Any way good news. we thanks to all staff in foreign ministry

ANTON Friday, 17 March 2017 03:30 PM

DO YOU REALLY THINK THE FOREIGN MINISTRY HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE RELEASE? THE SOMALI PIRATES REALIZED THAT SL IS IN SO MUCH DEBT THAT IT WOULD BE POINTLESS TO ASK FOR ANY RANSOM.

Perumal Friday, 17 March 2017 03:36 PM

Senadhipathi apparently missed a golden opportunity.

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Somali pirates release hijacked ship with SL crew

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