13 armed pirates join the gang: Ship changing its position frequently

Staff Reporter :
The situation aboard the hijacked MV Abdullah has become increasingly dire as the vessel continues to shift its position and its onboard supplies of food and water near exhaustion.

The crisis has escalated with additional pirates boarding the ship, raising concerns for the safety and well-being of the crew.

The Chief Executive Officer of SR Shipping Limited revealed to the media on Saturday that the MV Abdullah is moving further from the Somali coast, now only four nautical miles away.

“New batches of armed pirates have joined the initial group, significantly heightening the sense of danger.

Despite this, no ransom demands have been made yet,” he stated.

Though the ship anchored seven nautical miles from the Somali coast, but it changed its direction on Friday afternoon, he said, adding that the ship is now at four nautical miles from the coast.

About the new pirates, he said, “Additional 13 armed pirates have joined the previous ones and currently 22 pirates are in the ship.”

Meanwhile, the owners of the ship on Saturday told the media that the 23 crew members of the ship are going to face food and water crisis and the situation will worsen if new supply is not met.

Preferring anonymity, they, however, said, “The demand for food and water has increased due to the presence of the pirates who are also eating the same food.

Initiatives have been taken to communicate with the pirates through third parties.”

Generally frozen fish, meat, vegetables and fruits as well as fruits, biscuits, rice and lentil are kept in the ship depending on how many ports the ship will anchor during its voyage, sources said.

Around three to five tonnes of water is preserved in a ship based on its demand for using it for cooking, bathing and drinking.

Tugboat is used to supply water to ship, the source said.

Sources said that the MV Abdullah have the storage of food and water for 25 days.

This amount of food can go on for additional 20-21 days. But as the number of pirates have increased, they are also sharing the food and water, leading to crisis very soon.

Mizanul Islam, Media Adviser of Kabir Group, the owner of the ship, told the journalists that the pirates initially arrange food and water for the hostages and them for the sake of their own interest.

Whatever the situation, we have preparation to tackle the food crisis.”

He further said, “We are waiting for a contact with the pirates. If we can establish any contact with them, we will talk about the supply of food.

We have taken initiative for additional supply through third party. As soon as we can contact with pirates, we will discuss it.”

The government of Bangladesh said that they have been continuing their efforts to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) and the Indian Navy are consistently following the ship.

Apart from Indian ship, an Indian helicopter is also continuing its patrol.

Earlier on Friday, Captain Atique Ullah in his message said, “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.”

“Two navy ships wanted to rescue us. Then the pirates detained us. They held pistols to our heads.” Captain said.

“They haven’t harmed us yet, but they are keeping big guns aimed at us. We are physically fine, but there’s still food and water,” he said.

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in Chattogram on Friday told the journalists that the government has been continuing its efforts to rescue the crews as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Indian Navy in an X post said the Navy has thwarted the designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen.

The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 14 Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of piracy on high seas.

The vessel was intercepted by the Indian Navy warship on 15 Mar.

The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions in self-defence and to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers.

The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender and release the vessel and any civilians they may be holding against their will.

The Indian Navy remains committed to maritime security safety of seafarers in the region, the tweet said.