Latest piracy news (April 23, 2011)
(BRUSSELS2)
Friday (April 22) South Korean container ship freed
Captured by pirates, the HanjinTianjin was recovered by South Korean "marine" commandos. He had been captured the day before by pirates 250 miles east of Socotra (Yemen). The 20 crewmen who had taken refuge in the "citadel" of the ship are safe and sound. However, a reconnaissance carried out by the Turkish NATO ship, the Giresun, had not noticed anything abnormal. The pirates had already fled it seems. And the arrival of the South Korean commandos confirmed it. A few miles away, the pirates had successfully set their sights on the Italian ship. So it could be a diversion.
Thursday (April 21) Italian freighter captured off Oman
The Italian freighter MV Rosalia D'Amato was captured by pirates in the early hours of the morning, about 350 miles southeast of Salalah (Oman). A single skiff was enough to overcome this 74.500 T vessel which was going from Paranagua (Brazil) to Bandar Imam Khomeini (Iran). Crew of 21 sailors on board (6 Italians, 15 Filipinos). Two warships, Italian and Turkish headed for the area.
Thursday (April 21). Pirates released.
The 18 suspected pirates arrested by the Finnish frigate FNS Pohjanmaa on April 6 were released, "for lack of evidence", and above all the possibility of prosecution. Finland did not want to exercise its universal jurisdiction (this was, moreover, one of the prerequisites for its participation in the anti-piracy operation). Several other States have been approached, without success. " None was determined to prosecute them or could provide an intention to prosecute them within a reasonable time.. Kenya refuses any new welcome. Singapore, the flag State of the attacked vessel, was also questioned. But the existence of the death penalty posed an additional problem. The pirates were, in fact, strongly suspected of having attacked the day before their arrest the Mv Pacific Opal. They were deposited near the Somali coast. Their mother ship had been sunk by the Finnish military.
Wednesday (April 20) Exchange of fire near Hobyo
While patrolling the Somali coast, the Danish NATO frigate Esbern snare discovered a suspicious boat towing a skiff. As it approaches, the Danish sailors observe some throwing objects into the water and taking the skiff. Exchanges of fire took place. "In self-defense" specifies NATO which does not give a balance sheet. At least 3 people died in this attack which took place near Hobyo, the pirate port, points out the NGO Ecoterra which revised the balance sheet upwards on Sunday (6 dead including an Iranian sailor and 5 injured). The dhow sank following the shots. The 14 Iranian sailors repatriated to Galkayo, the capital of the semi-autonomous province of Galmudug.
Wednesday 20 April). The Hawks on deck.
The elite South African police unit boarded the Greek vessel Mv Irene SL in Durban, liberated in early April, to help investigate the Somali pirates who captured it. " We are looking for evidence [about] hackers Hawks spokesman Macintosh Polela told the South African press.
Wednesday (April 20) Somaliland confirms pirate transfer agreement with Seychelles
On the sidelines of the Dubai conference, the authorities of Puntland and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding with the Seychelles authorities to facilitate the transfer of pirates tried in the Indian Ocean archipelago. He confirms the letters of intent signed at the beginning of February in Port-Victoria. Despite some reluctance, the MoU signed by Somaliland also covers all pirates and not only those from Somaliland, Seychelles Interior Minister Joel Morgan confirmed to the daily Nation. The negotiations lasted until the last moment and were particularly "intense"said the Minister. The agreement was reached under the auspices of Danish Ambassador Thomas Winkler who chaired Working Group No. 2 (legal issues) of the Contact Group on Piracy. Read also: Latest piracy news (April 2) • Seychelles signs repatriation agreement for convicted pirates
Wednesday 20 April). Spanish succession
The Spanish Frigate Santa Maria departs from the naval base of Rota (Cádiz) towards the Gulf of Aden to take over from the frigate "Canaries", which participates in the European Union's anti-piracy mission Atalanta.
Monday (April 18) Indian minister rejects hackers' trade offer.
India's Minister of Maritime Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, says in Indian press that the Indian government will not give in to the offer of exchanges by Somali pirates who still hold 7 of the 15 Indian crew members of the MV Asphalt Venture.
Monday april 18th). Nine suspects brought to the Netherlands
Nine suspected hackers arrive at Eindhoven's military airport to be tried by a Dutch court. They are brought to the Netherlands for shooting Dutch Tromp Marines during an operation to liberate an Iranian ship. They had been apprehended after the rather eventful release of an Iranian dhow in early April, in concerted action with the Danish navy. 2 pirates had been killed in the exchange of fire and 3 others wounded. 7 of the 16 pirates arrested were released, either because of their young age or because they were not involved. They passed through the Seychelles where they were placed in temporary detention, the time of transfer to the Netherlands. Read : Latest piracy news (April 17)