Latest piracy news (June 13, 2011) (Update)
(BRUSSELS2) These last days have been marked by the release of several ships - for ransom - and by the continuation of some attacks - particularly in the Red Sea. However, there are still 583 hostages in the hands of the pirates and 40 ships, according to the latest assessment drawn up by the NGO Ecoterra (dated June 11); 411 and 19 ships according to a last count of the European mission Atalanta (which does not however take into account the dhow and local fishing boats).
Sun (June 12) Four "private" released by the authorities of Eritrea
The four British members of the private security company VPI (International Protection Vessels) held in Eritrea since December on espionage and terrorism charges are free, confirms the Foreign Office. They had been apprehended shortly before Christmas by Eritrean forces after a dispute over payment for supplies. The Eritreans say they discovered an arms cache on the small island of Romia containing sniper rifles, ammunition and night vision binoculars. The interested parties defend themselves by explaining that their mission was to protect merchant ships and pleaded the misunderstanding. The British protested against Eritrea for not allowing consular visits but thanked Qatar for playing the good offices.
Fri (June 10). Two pirate skiffs sunk by shot on goal
While conducting a "routine patrol" in the southern Somali basin (she had just left Mombasa (Kenya) a few days before), the German frigate Lower Saxony - which is part of the European anti-piracy operation Atalanta - has detected a suspicious pirate action group, consisting of a mother ship and two skiffs in tow. The presence of RPGs did not leave too much doubt about the people on board and their intentions. But the possible presence of hostages did not allow a recovery action by main force. According to a technique now proven, the ship therefore operated a shot on goal on the two skiffs. The mother ship"deprived of all means of action therefore turned back towards the Somali coast“says one at the HQ of Atalanta.
Wed (June 8) to Sat (June 11). Several ships released
The Chinese freighter, flying the Panamanian flag, Mv Yuan Xiang is released on Wednesday (June 8). With 29 crew members, all Chinese, had been captured by pirates almost seven months ago, on November 12, 2010, about 650 miles east of Salalah (Oman). Release confirmed by EU Anti-Piracy HQ.
On Friday (June 10), it was the turn of the Kuwaiti tanker flying the Emirati flag, the Mv Zirku, to be released, after payment of a ransom. He had been captured on March 28 250 miles southeast of Salalah in the eastern Gulf of Aden. On board a crew of 29 sailors: 1 Croat, 2 Ukrainians, 1 Iraqi, 1 Indian, 1 Filipino, 3 Egyptians, 3 Jordanians and 17 Pakistanis. Release confirmed by EU Anti-Piracy HQ Northwood.
After ten months of detention, the Mv Suez, an Egyptian vessel with a Panamanian flag, and its crew of 23 sailors, is released on Saturday (June 11), according to Ecop-Marine. They were captured on August 2, 2010 in the Gulf of Aden, as they headed for Eritrea with a cargo of cement, the pirates taking only five minutes to get on board. Nearby ships - whether Dutch HNLMS De Zeven Provincien and USS Cole (of NATO's Ocean Shield fleet) and the RSS Endurance (from CTF 151) couldn't do anything. A ransom of $2,1 million was paid, paid in part by the Egyptian company ($1 million), Pakistan ($600.000) and India ($500.000). India did not want to pay its share, according to the families who testify in the Times of India, it is the human rights activist Ansur Burney who took care of it.
Monday (June 6). Six pirates sentenced in Somaliland
Six pirates were sentenced in Somaliland by the regional court of Berbera to eight years in prison (the sixth to five years only because he had pleaded guilty). They attacked an Italian ship in April 2008, winning a $3 million ransom, and were arrested by the Somaliland Coast Guard on March 24.
(NGV)
