Current Articles & News v.8

Here are links to current articles and new releases regarding the crisis of international hijacking by pirates (terrorists).

10 ships, 179 crew held by Somali pirates The International Maritime Bureau says 166 crew on nine hijacked ships are still being held off the coast of Somalia, not including the German tanker seized Thursday, the MV Longchamp and its 13-man crew.

The other ships include:
(1) Ukrainian cargo ship MV Faina, seized in September. The pirates had originally asked for $20 million for the ship, which is laden with 33 tanks and other heavy weapons. (2) Turkish tanker Karagol, seized in November carrying 4,500 tons of chemicals and 14 Turkish personnel. (3) Chinese fishing vessel Tianyu No. 8, seized in mid-November. (4) Bulk carrier African Sanderling and its 21 Filipino crewmen, seized in October. (5) Egyptian cargo ship Blue Star with 28 crew, seized in January.
(AP International, 01/29/2009)

Kenya agrees to prosecute U.S.-held pirates: Pentagon Kenya has agreed to prosecute Somali pirates captured by the U.S. Navy, allowing U.S. forces to begin taking piracy suspects into custody on the high seas, the Pentagon said on Thursday. U.S. and Kenyan officials signed a bilateral agreement on January 16 that calls for suspects to be tried in Kenyan courts, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. The pact removes a major obstacle that prevented the U.S. Navy from capturing pirates. (Reuters, 01/29/2009)

Somali pirates hijack German gas tanker, 13 crew Somali pirates hijacked a German tanker loaded with liquefied petroleum gas Thursday off the Horn of Africa. The ship's 13-man crew was reported safe, even though gunshots were heard over the ship's radio. The MV Longchamp is the third ship captured by pirates this month in the Gulf of Aden. (Yahoo News, 01/29/2009)

Sailor tells of the moment pirates captured the Sirius Star A Scottish sailor who was held hostage for two months on the oil tanker, the Sirius Star, has spoken for the first time about the "beautiful morning" at sea that was ruined by heavily armed pirates. (Telegraph UK, 01/29/2009)