| Pirates seize Greek ship in protected Gulf of Aden corridor |
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09/09/2010 10:37 (520 Day 21:23 minutes ago) | |||||
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The FINANCIAL -- A Greek-owned chemical tanker with a crew of 18 was attacked by pirates in a protected corridor in the Gulf of Aden, the EU's naval force operating off Somalia said on its website, according to RIA Novosti.
"Early on the morning of 8 September, the Merchant Vessel (MV) OLIB G, flagged Malta, was seized by pirates in the East part of the Gulf of Aden... The MV OLIB G was sailing West in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor through the Gulf of Aden with a cargo of ballast," the statement reads.
The Nairobi-based organization monitoring piracy off the coast of Somalia, Ecoterra International, said the vessel could be involved in illegal waste dumping activities.
The vessel, with a deadweight of 6,375 tons, has a crew of 18, among which are 15 Georgian and three Turkish nationals. The organization said two more pirate attacks were reported in the region on September 8.
The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged containership MV Magellan Star was targeted and boarded by pirates while on a return voyage from Indonesia.
"The ship's crew locked themselves in a safe room and called for assistance. Apparently there is at present a stand-off between the pirates and navies, which could reach the scene," the organization said.
An attack on the Jamaican-flagged MV Miltiades with 23 onboard and a cargo of fertilizers was thwarted by the military.
"Reportedly five or six pirates were arrested in the unsuccessful attack and the vessel has sailed free," the report said.
A total of 24 vessels with 429 people onboard are estimated to be held by Somali pirates as of September 1.
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