Pirates Launch New Attack on Freed MV Suez

On Monday, the Egyptian cargo vessel MV Suez was released from Somali pirates upon receipt of a $2.1 million ransom payment after being held captive since August 2010.  Crew members of the Suez have reported another attack has been launched on Wednesday morning with the pirates firing rockets at the freshly freed freighter while sailing in the dangerous Somali waters en route to a port in Oman.

Luckily the 22-member crew consisting of 11 Egyptians, 6 Indians, 4 Pakistanis, and 1 Sri Lankan were able to counter the attacks without any report of casualties. 

Ravinder Singh, 3rd Officer on board MV Suez, explained to a private news channel that they were attacked by a skiff holding 4 pirates, in which a 40 minute attack ensued.  He said that 1 pirate was injured in the Suez’s retaliation, and that they had contacted the Indian Navy and received no positive response. 

Despite the lack of response to the Suez during attack, the PNS Babura, Pakistani Navy vessel, was in the vicinity to the Suez and is expected to reach the freighter to escort it to the port Salalah in Oman.  Directorate General of Shipping in India, SB Agnihotri, claimed the Indian Navy is currently coordinating with other navies to assist in the safe passage of the Suez to Salalah.

Reportedly, on Tuesday the Suez captain, Mohammad Wasi, claimed that they still did not feel safe, even after being released.

Agnihotri said that if escorting efforts go according to plan, the Suez will reach Salalah early Thursday morning where the ship management will take over operations.