At 0400GMT yesterday morning the 75,000 tonne MV SALDANHA with its 22 man crew and cargo of coal was hijacked whilst transiting westbound through the transit corridor (IRTC) in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was provided with assistance from a US Coalition warship however the pirates boarded the vessel very quickly making it difficult for her helicopter to take preventative action without endangering the SALDANHA’s crew. EU warships were also patrolling the Gulf of Aden at the time providing protection to other merchant shipping but were not close enough to intervene on this occasion.
“It is obviously disappointing that this hijacking has succeeded after so many recent attempts have been repelled” an EU spokesman said “however this incident does highlight that pirates will continue to attack vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden despite the additional protection provided by warships”.
Initial reports suggest that the crew were uninjured in the attack and that the vessel’s owners are in touch with the Master.
“It is obviously disappointing that this hijacking has succeeded after so many recent attempts have been repelled” an EU spokesman said “however this incident does highlight that pirates will continue to attack vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden despite the additional protection provided by warships”.
Initial reports suggest that the crew were uninjured in the attack and that the vessel’s owners are in touch with the Master.