Staff Reporter :
The authorities at SR Shipping are facing a challenging situation with the hijacking of the MV Abdullah by pirates. However, despite the gravity of the crisis, there remains a glimmer of hope for a swift resolution.
As of yet, the pirates have not made any demands for ransom, providing a window of opportunity for negotiation.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior official from SR Shipping addressed the media on Sunday, providing reassurance about the well-being of the crew members and the ongoing efforts to address the situation.
The official further said that all crew members of MV Abdullah are in good health, and no ransom demands have been made by the pirates.
However, due to strategic reasons, detailed information about the crisis was not disclosed.
Meanwhile, the Indian Navy successfully freed the hijacked MV Ruen cargo ship in Somalia’s Puntland region after a 24-hour standoff and shootout. Puntland Ports Minister Ahmed Yasin Salah reported that 35 pirates were detained, and the crew remained unharmed.
Following the successful rescue of MV Ruen, the Indian Navy is now devising a plan to rescue MV Abdullah.
However, Meherul Karim, Chief Executive Officer of SR Shipping, stated that they are not considering any military operation to rescue MV Abdullah, citing concerns about potential casualties among the crew members.
“The safety of our crew members is our top priority.
We cannot risk their lives, so we have declined any proposals for a rescue operation,” Karim emphasised.
Despite not receiving any ransom demand yet, efforts to establish contact with the pirates through international agencies are ongoing, as confirmed by Karim.
The ship’s captain has communicated via satellite phone, assuring the company that the crew members are safe and that the pirates are treating them well.
Rear Admiral (Retd) Khorshed Alam, secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ maritime unit, emphasised that conducting a military operation carries inherent risks, especially regarding casualties.
He noted that since the ship owner has agreed to pay the ransom, there is no need for such action.
Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud reiterated the government’s commitment to rescuing MV Abdullah safely, although he did not divulge details of the process.
He urged the media to report carefully, emphasising the potential consequences of spreading false information.
The MV Abdullah, carrying 55,000 tonnes of coal from Mozambique’s capital Maputo to the United Arab Emirates, was seized by Somali pirates on March 12, taking 23 crew members hostage.
Quoting an Indian navy spokesperson, Reuters reported that the Somali pirates fired on the Indian navy ship in international waters.
The EU Navy is also conducting Operation ATALANTA for the rescue of MV Abdullah.
In a message, Captain Atique Ullah conveyed the crew’s physical well-being but expressed mental distress due to the circumstances.
Despite facing armed threats from the pirates, the crew remains physically unharmed, with sufficient food and water supplies.
