2008 Hijackings

Hijacker Somali Pirates: We'll Fight to the Death Before Surrendering to U.S., Russia MOGADISHU, Somalia — A group of Somali pirates who have hijacked a tanker loaded with military supplies say they will fight to the death before giving in to Russian and U.S. authorities. The tense situation off the coast of Somalia began 11 days ago when the pirates took control of the Ukrainian vessel MV Faina. (FOX News, 10/06/2008)


Pirates attack 3 ships off Somalia Pirates hijacked three ships off the coast of Somalia on Thursday in the "worst number of attacks" in one day in many years, an international maritime watchdog said. "Four attacks in two days, ships being hijacked and crews being taken, and large ransoms being demanded is completely unacceptable," said Capt. Pottengal Mukudan of the International Maritime Bureau, which monitors shipping crime.(BBC News 08/22/2008)

Pirates hijack Thai ship off Somalia NAIROBI, Kenya - Pirates have hijacked a Thai cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden off the Somali coast, the Kenya Seafarers Association said Thursday. The ship, the MV Thor Star, was hijacked Tuesday with 28 Thai crew members on board, said Andrew Mwangura, a spokesman for the association, which acts on behalf of merchant vessels in the region. The Thai-flagged ship is owned by Bangkok-based Thoresen Thai Agencies. (CNN, 08/14/2008)

Pirates hijack Danish-owned ship off Somalia A Danish-owned tug boat with a British captain, an Irish engineer and four Russian crew members was seized off Somalia's northeastern coast and a ransom has been demanded, the ship owner and a Somali official said Monday. All crew members on the Svitzer Korsakov, a Russian-built ship, were believed to be unharmed. (Associated Press, 02/04/2008)