PIRACY UPDATE: Spanish Oil Tanker & Vietnamese Bulk Carrier Released, S. Africa Couple Face Death Without Ransom

Spanish-Owned Oil Tanker Released With No Ransom

Ten days ago Spanish oil tanker, Mattheos I, was boarded by a group of pirates 62 nautical miles off Benin while conducting ship-to-ship petroleum transfer operations.  This weekend all 23 crewmembers are confirmed to be alive and set free from pirate control after the seizure of the tanker’s diesel. 

Unlike the Somali pirates, the West African pirates released the Cypriot-flagged ship without the imposition of any ransom payment—they took the fuel cargo instead, reported Consultores de Navegacion spokeswoman Sheena Campbell. While all the men remain in good health, one man was injured by the pirates, though it’s not been disclosed who or how he was injured.

The ship and its crew comprised of 5 Spaniards, 2 Ukrainians and 14 Filipinos currently is located off the coast of Nigeria.

PHOTO: Mattheos I

This West African piracy incident is the latest in the string of many as the Gulf of Guinea sees an increase in pirate activity as it grows as a trade hub for oil, metals, and agricultural products worldwide.

Somali Pirates Demand Ransom From South African Hostages

South African’s from Durban Bruno Pelizzari and Deborah Calitz have been under Somali pirate control since last year after being captured sailing off the coast of Tanzania on their yacht on October 26th.

Reports have surfaced that the pirates are demanding a R33 million ransom (US$4 million) from the family of the captured.  The Sowetan newspaper wrote that Pelizzari’s sister had spoken to Bruno on September 5th expressing that while they know they are doing everything they can, if they do not receive the ransom, they will be killed. The sister revealed the pirate named Ali has been calling her weekly since then, and she explains to him that they are not rich and it will take some time to get the money.

In response, the family has started a SOS Bru and Deb Trust to try and raise money for the ransom payment to save the couple.

Department of International Relations spokesman Clayson Monyela commented on the drama that it is South African Government policy not to pay ransoms, and unfortunately it is up to the family to deal with the kidnapping.

Vietnamese Firm Pays $2million+ Ransom for Bulk Carrier Release

A Vietnamese shipping firm has paid more than $2.6 million in ransom to free their crewmen of the Hoang Son Sun who had been held for months by Somali pirates, announced an executive from the company.

PHOTO: Hoang Son Sun

Nguyen Truong Son, deputy general director of the Hoang Son Ltd Co, told AFP that the $2.6 million was paid directly from their company and that all 24 Vietnamese crewmembers of the Mongolian-flagged ship have reached land at the Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport on Monday.  He added that some of the men have been affected physically and mentally by the capture, but gave no additional details about the attack or the treatment of the crew.

EUNAVFOR had reported the seizure of the bulk carrier on January 20th.  The ship was taken about 520 nautical miles south-east of Muscat.