Piracy & Ship Attacks - Jan. 18, 2011

MV Eagle Pirated in the Somali Basin

EU NAVFOR reports that the MV EAGLE, a bulk carrier was attacked and pirated in the early hours of Monday January 17th. Pirates fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades at the Cypriot-flagged ship before boarding the vessel.

The 52,163 ton, Greek owned MV EAGLE was en route from Aqabar, Jordan to Paradip, India when she was attacked about 490 nautical miles South West of Salaam, Oman. The ships manager Perosea Shipping Co. has had no contact with the crew of 24 Filipinos since they reported the attack.

MT MOTIVATOR Released from Pirate Control

EU NAVFOR reports that in the early morning of January 16, the products Tanker MV MOTIVATOR was released from pirate control. The Marshall Islands flagged vessel was pirated on July 4 in the Southern Red Sea. The ship, with 18 Filipinos onboard, was released approximately 160 nautical miles South-West of the island of Socotra near the coast of Somalia. The ship’s owner has reported that the crew is well.

MV SAMHO JEWELERY Pirated in the Indian Ocean

On the morning of January 15, the MV SAMHO JEWELERY was pirated approximately 350 nautical miles South East of the port of Muscat, Oman. The Maltese-flagged and Norwegian owned tanker has a crew of 21 and is carrying chemicals, according to EU NAVFOR. Details of the attack are unknown at this time.

Currently 29 vessels and 699 crew members are being held hostage by pirates. For a list of ships currently being held by pirates click here.

Source: EUNAVFOR