Somali Pirates Hijack Fourth Vessel This Week

A Liberian-owned Panamanian-flagged bulk ship transiting from Oman to the Suez was
hijacked by four pirates wielding AK-47s and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

The VOC DAISY with a crew of 21 was taken about 300km (200 miles) outside the international corridor where warships escort most merchant vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden said a spokesperson from the EU Naval Force.

On Sunday Somali pirates grabbed three Thai fishing vessels about 965 km offshore the coastline, which was the furthest distance recorded for a piracy event.

The VOC DAISY had a crew of 21 Filipinos and the ship is owned by Samartzis Maritime Enterprises. The crew raised the alarm, but the pirates climbed aboard the cut communications lines.