BM Desk:
A Bangladeshi cargo vessel, MV Abdullah, has been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, according to ship owner SR Shipping Lines. All 23 crew members are reportedly safe but being held hostage on board.
The ship was en route to the United Arab Emirates from Mozambique carrying coal when the attack occurred. Sources say the pirates have taken control of the vessel while the crew is sheltering inside the cabins.
SR Shipping Lines is a subsidiary of the Kabir Steel and Re-rolling Mill (KSRM) Group, based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. KSRM’s media representative confirmed the hijacking and said they are working to establish contact with the crew.
The Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association (BMMOA) also received a message from a crew member stating they are locked in their cabins with the heavily armed pirates in control.
The BMMOA is seeking help from the Bangladeshi government to secure the crew’s release. This is not the first time a vessel owned by KSRM has been targeted by pirates. In 2010, another KSRM ship, MV Jahan Moni, was hijacked in the Arabian Sea and held for nearly 100 days before the crew was rescued.
The hijacking has drawn condemnation from the international community. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for the immediate release of the crew and the vessel. Regional naval forces are also likely to increase patrols in the area to deter further piracy attacks.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat of piracy to Bangladeshi shipping interests in the Indian Ocean. The industry may call for increased security measures on board vessels and for closer cooperation with international partners to combat piracy.
The families of the abducted crew members are understandably anxious about their safety. The Bangladeshi government has assured them that all efforts are being made to secure their loved ones’ release.
Negotiations with the pirates are likely to take place in the coming days. The goal will be to secure the safe release of the crew and the vessel in exchange for a ransom payment.
The successful rescue of the MV Jahan Moni crew in 2010 offers hope for a positive outcome in this case as well. However, the situation remains tense and the crew’s safety is paramount.
