Intl group issues warning vs pirates at Gulf of Aden
MANILA , Philippines - An international maritime organization has sounded the alarm over the upsurge of hijacking incidents on the Gulf of Aden where more than 50 Filipino seafarers have been abducted since July.
The warning was issued by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) which has alerted all vessels to “maintain a strict 24 hour look out" as they pass through the Gulf of Aden, located off the coast of Somalia .
“[Use] all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding," the group said in its website.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is a specialised division of the International Chamber Of Commerce (ICC), the group said on its website, adding that it is a non-profit organization established in 1981 to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crime and malpractice.
The Gulf of Aden, an important waterway for shipping, is within the Arabian Sea . It is between Yemen on the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. It connects with the Red Sea through the Babel Mandeb strait in the northwest.
As of September 7, the IMB received eight incidents of pirate attacks in African waters. Out of the eight incidents, three cases of hijacking and theft were reported.
Four Filipino-manned ships have been taken over by pirates since July this year. A total of 54 Filipino seafarers, including one who died during the hijackings, were victimized.
On July 20, about 20 Filipino seafarers were among those held by pirates in the hijacking of MV Stella Maris, a Japanese-owned bulk carrier, in the Gulf of Aden . Almost a month later, 10 Filipinos were abducted in the same area, this time on board the MT Bunga Melati, a Malaysian-owned chemical tanker.
Two days later in August 21, two ships – the MT Irene and the BBC Trinidad – were hijacked in African waters. A total of 24 Filipinos were reportedly kidnapped in that incident.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday confirmed that nine Filipinos from the BBC Trinidad had been released.
The DFA said they are currently coordinating with the owner of the seized ship, Beluga Shipping GmbH, for the immediate repatriation of the nine Filipinos. The Philippine government has maintained a policy against directly communicating with kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Filipino casualty remains inside one of the hijacked vessels, the DFA said.
According to the IMB, the upsurge in piracy especially near Somalia is caused by the aggressiveness of pirates.
Some are even equipped with high-powered guns including grenade launchers that could cause damage to big vessels.
Well-funded by ransom willingly paid by ship owners, pirates in the African seas often come with big mother ships, which launch smaller, faster craft to slow down their targets vessels.
The group earlier warned all vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden against two ships suspected of carrying pirates.
"The description of the suspected trawlers - long white, Russian made stern trawlers with their names were posted by the IMB in its website.
It added: "One of the trawlers is believed to be operating at approximately 60 NM NE of Bossasso, Somalia in the Gulf of Aden ." - Mark Ubalde, GMANews.TV
The warning was issued by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) which has alerted all vessels to “maintain a strict 24 hour look out" as they pass through the Gulf of Aden, located off the coast of Somalia .
“[Use] all available means to get an early warning of an approaching threat. Early indication of a piratical incident will enable the master to contact the Coalition Navies, the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre and respond appropriately to prevent boarding," the group said in its website.
The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) is a specialised division of the International Chamber Of Commerce (ICC), the group said on its website, adding that it is a non-profit organization established in 1981 to act as a focal point in the fight against all types of maritime crime and malpractice.
The Gulf of Aden, an important waterway for shipping, is within the Arabian Sea . It is between Yemen on the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. It connects with the Red Sea through the Babel Mandeb strait in the northwest.
As of September 7, the IMB received eight incidents of pirate attacks in African waters. Out of the eight incidents, three cases of hijacking and theft were reported.
Four Filipino-manned ships have been taken over by pirates since July this year. A total of 54 Filipino seafarers, including one who died during the hijackings, were victimized.
On July 20, about 20 Filipino seafarers were among those held by pirates in the hijacking of MV Stella Maris, a Japanese-owned bulk carrier, in the Gulf of Aden . Almost a month later, 10 Filipinos were abducted in the same area, this time on board the MT Bunga Melati, a Malaysian-owned chemical tanker.
Two days later in August 21, two ships – the MT Irene and the BBC Trinidad – were hijacked in African waters. A total of 24 Filipinos were reportedly kidnapped in that incident.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday confirmed that nine Filipinos from the BBC Trinidad had been released.
The DFA said they are currently coordinating with the owner of the seized ship, Beluga Shipping GmbH, for the immediate repatriation of the nine Filipinos. The Philippine government has maintained a policy against directly communicating with kidnappers.
Meanwhile, the Filipino casualty remains inside one of the hijacked vessels, the DFA said.
According to the IMB, the upsurge in piracy especially near Somalia is caused by the aggressiveness of pirates.
Some are even equipped with high-powered guns including grenade launchers that could cause damage to big vessels.
Well-funded by ransom willingly paid by ship owners, pirates in the African seas often come with big mother ships, which launch smaller, faster craft to slow down their targets vessels.
The group earlier warned all vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden against two ships suspected of carrying pirates.
"The description of the suspected trawlers - long white, Russian made stern trawlers with their names were posted by the IMB in its website.
It added: "One of the trawlers is believed to be operating at approximately 60 NM NE of Bossasso, Somalia in the Gulf of Aden ." - Mark Ubalde, GMANews.TV
Comments