Somali pirates captured N Korean cargo ship RIM

04.02.2010 Source: RIA Novosti, photo: the Gulf of Aden (AP)

Pirates hijacked N Korean-flagged cargo ship RIM at the Gulf of Aden, says the release posted on website of EU Operation Atalanta.

The ship's capture is confirmed by the crew of USS Porter and helicopter pilots from USS Farragut deployed in that part of the gulf.

Cargo ship RIM is used for coastwise navigation and belongs to Libyan company White Sea Shipping. It was not reported of crew strength and their nationalities.

Having been hijacked, the vessel altered heading and presently sails toward Somali coast.

According to International Maritime Bureau, in 2009 Somali pirates carried out 217 attacks and captured 47 vessels. 867 sailors were taken hostage.

RIM has become the fourth ship hijacked by pirates in 2010 off Somali coast. Early January sea-robbers captured Indonesian tanker Pramoni and British automobile carrier Asian Glory. On Jan 27 they managed to hijack Cambodian dry cargo ship.

Somalia can't find the answer to the problem of piracy since this country ceased to exist as united state in 1991 with falling of Siad Barre dictatorship governed the country since late 60-ies. Currently, international community recognizes Federal Government Somalia as the only lawful authority in the country; however, the named government controls only a part of capital city, Mogadishu.

The rest parts of Somalia are either under control of unrecognized state formations or self-governed territories which leaders have different and sometimes even contrary views on integration under reign of Mogadishu.