Staff Reporter :
The crew of MV Abdullah, currently held hostage by pirates, remains unharmed and in good health, as reported by the ship’s Chief Officer, Captain Atique Ullah, through an email communication.
Captain Ullah’s message conveyed reassurance about the crew’s safety and mentioned that the pirates have yet to demand any ransom.
“The sailors are safe, and there has been no mistreatment or financial demands from the pirates,” he stated, highlighting the ongoing uncertainty of their situation.
Following pirate instructions, MV Abdullah has resumed its journey after initially being instructed to anchor off Garacad, Somalia.
The vessel’s redirection northward hints at the pirates’ strategy, possibly aiming for a safer location before potentially issuing ransom demands.
Captain Ullah shared insights into the crew’s current living conditions, describing them as physically well but mentally distressed.
The crew, now confined to sleeping on the ship’s bridge and sharing a single restroom, experienced a tense moment when pirates boarded, threatening them with pistols.
Despite these threats, the pirates have not physically harmed the crew and have even shared food with them.
However, concerns about food and water supplies loom large, with the captain estimating their provisions could last another 10 to 15 days.
“We are fine, physically but mentally a bit distressed. Now we are all sleeping on the bridge of the ship. This is not something we are accustomed to. Still, we are managing to sleep.
We all use one restroom. Yesterday (Wednesday), a navy ship came. And today (Thursday), another navy ship has arrived,” he said.
The European Union Naval Force’s Operation ATALANTA is closely monitoring the situation, having identified at least 12 pirates aboard MV Abdullah.
This operation continues to gather intelligence on pirate activities along the Somali coast, identifying three main pirate camps supporting hijacking operations in the region.
Rear Admiral (Retired) Mohammad Khurshed Alam, Secretary of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that no ransom demand has been made yet.
The primary focus remains on the safe return of the 23 sailors and the ship, including its cargo, to Bangladesh.
The ministry, in coordination with international partners, is actively working towards resolving the situation and ensuring the crew’s safety.
“The pirates have not asked for any ransom yet. They have not even contacted us for it. We still don’t know their demands,” he said.
Regarding the safe return of the sailors, he said, “The process has already begun.
Our primary goal is to bring back the 23 sailors and the ship along with the cargo safely to the country. We will not deviate from that goal. Hopefully, we will be able to provide good news soon.”
