In spite of the presence of several foreign warship in Gulf of Aden, the Somalian pirates have once again captured a fighter, chemical tanker and bulk carrier. Its most recent capture was a UK flagged chemical tanker, the St James Park which had 26 crew members from different countries.

The tanker had taken a route from Spain to Thailand but was commandeered some where near the Somalian coast in the north. The ship’s last port reported was at Jeddah in Saudi Arabia which had crew members from Different countries like the Philippines, India, Russia  and several European countries like Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Georgia.

The Somalian pirates on Monday captured another 52,000 tonne Navious Apollon which is a Greek bulk carrier. This container which was transporting fertilizers, was taking the route from Tampa, Florida to Rozy India. It had a Greek caption and 18 Philippines. The Greek coast guard said that the ship was boarded by 10 men on speed boat in to the Indian ocean.

Simon Jones from Triton International, which is a maritime risk and security assessment company told “The problem is the area of sea they are trying to protect is so vast … that [searching for] a few pirates sprinkled around the area … is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

“The only realistic way that piracy can be stopped at sea … is for those vessels to be practically prepared to prevent piracy occurring, preventing them getting on board and preventing them from getting close to the vessel … the navies cannot be there all the time.

“You haven’t got a blanket requirement by all shipping companies traveling through these dangerous regions or a regulation that requires them to adhere to security requirements.”

Some months back the pirates captured a Yemeni freighter, Al Mahmoudia2 which left from port of Aden, in Yemen had more than 15 crew members.

In spite pf huge international presence off Somalian coastlines, the pirates have claimed to have collected $3.5 million for the release of Chinese bulk carrier, Dexinhai.

There are several ship and crew members held captive by the Somalian pirates. At least 11 vessels and 250 crew members are held captive by them. And the reports have come that the captors were getting frustrated and losing their patience and they may kill those held if the ransom is not paid soon.
[  Source: Al jazeera]