Earlier report stated that pirates had successfully hijacked two merchant ships in the Arabian Sea today. Proved not to be the case as the crew of MV Hanjin Tainjin escape by retreating to a citadel.Updated: After a relatively quiet few days with no attacks in the dangerous waters of the Horn of Africa and Indian Ocean regions, possibly a single Pirate Action Group (PAG) it was reported that they had successfully hijacked two merchant vessels in the Arabian Sea. In a period of approximately 6-hours, pirates were believed to have taken over 40 crew members hostage from South Korean and Italian vessels, separated by approximately 75 nautical miles. However, this has been refuted.
April 20 at 2000 UTC, in position 1219N – 05817E, in the Arabian Sea, approximately 250nm east of Socotra Island, according to the Seoul-based shipping company, Hanjin Shipping, and the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the container ship Hanjin Tianjin, was hijacked by pirates. The 75,000 DWT vessel has a crew of 14 South Koreans and 6 Indonesian.
The shipping company stated that they had received an SOS message as the vessel was en route to Singapore following the last port of call in Gibraltar. Reportedly, the vessel is capable of speeds up to 27 knots, which is considered sufficient to be able to deter attempted boarding by pirates. However, it was later stated that the vessel had not been hijacked as the crew had retreated to the citadel which was only equipped with a VHF radio, hence the loss of communications with the vessel. A Coalition Maritime Forces Turkish warship reached the Panama-flag ship three hours after the attack was reported, and stated that there was no signs of the pirates. The South Korean warship, Choi Young naval destroyer from South Korea's Cheonghae unit, which is part of the South Korean involvement in the international anti-piracy campaign, sent the Lynx helicopter to investigate before releasing the 20 crew from their security bolthole. A further investigation into the incident is to be carried out by the South Korean navy.
The second but this time successful attack, on April 21, within a matter of hours occurred in position 1317N 05906E, approximately 365nm Southeast of Salalah, Oman. At 0205 UTC, the 74,500-tonne bulk carrier, the Italian-flag and -owned, Rosalia D'Amato, with a crew of 6 Italians and 15 Filipinos, was en route to Iran from Brazil when it came under attack in the Arabian Sea, only 75nm from the attack position of Hanjin Tianjin. Armed pirates from a single dhow and 2 skiffs managed to board the vessel and take the crew hostage. Coalition forces were reported to have been told via VHF radio, "Pirates onboard, stay away". Rosalia D'Amato was registered with MSC(HOA) and was reporting to UKMTO.
Prior to today's incidents, 56 Filipino mariners were held in captivity by Somali pirates; the highest amount from any one nation. The second highest majority has been Indian seafarers, with reports stating that the head of the Indian seafarers' union saying there is a "fairly high chance" of a boycott by members of voyages through pirate-infested waters. The effect on the regional economy, and the world trade, could suffer dire consequences. The attacks follow days after a high-level counter piracy conference, held in the UAE, to encourage donations for the UN Trust Fund to help support efforts in combating piracy in the region. However, the support is largely based on prosecution and judicial infrastructure in Somalia.
Vessels are reminded that the coalition forces' warships may not be in the vicinity of a pirate attack, subsequently, it is emphasised that seafarers can greatly reduce their chances of being pirated if they follow precautions as recommended in the Best Management Practices, increasing speed and carrying out evasive manoeuvres is a proven deterrent to piracy attacks. The use of a CITADEL DOES NOT guarantee a military response. Before owners, operators and masters commit to a policy that recommends the use of a citadel, it is important to understand the criteria that military forces will apply before a boarding to free the ship can be considered.
Vessels are advised to exercise extreme caution when navigating in the vicinity of the reported position of the attack and maintain maximum CPA with any ship acting suspiciously. Additionally, registration of vessel movement with MSC(HOA) prior to transiting the region is recommended.
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Any suspicious activity should be reported to UKMTO in Dubai in the first instance (UKMTO@eim.ae or Telephone+971 50 552 3215) and on entering the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) bound by Suez,78E and 10S.
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