Somali pirates freed N Korean tanker

17.03.2010
Somali pirates released North Korean chemical tanker Theresa VIII, reports Associated Press referring to leaders of EU naval force. The ship with 28 N Korean crewmembers on board was captured in Nov 2009 off Seychelles.

The tanker flying the flag of Virgin Islands and chartered by one of Singaporean companies was attacked by pirates no farer than 180 nautical miles off Seychelles. The ship's destination was Kenyan port Mombasa.

Later on it was reported that the shipmaster had died of injuries as a result of pirates' assault. Little was known about subsequent status of the tanker.

The ransom paid for the ship and complement was about $3.5 mln, informed Reuters citing Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of East African Seafarers Assistance Program. Meanwhile, commodore John Harbor who takes part in anti-piracy patrol said that Europeans had no information about ship release terms. According to him, when the vessel was released the complement did not contact warships deployed in the Gulf of Aden.

Mr. Harbor also reported that today EU anti-piracy force has arrested two groups of pirates sailing on cutter and two boats. In total, 17 persons were apprehended. They would probably be extradited to Somali authorities.

According to International Maritime Bureau, in 2009 there were 406 incidents of attacks carried out by Somali pirates against various vessels. Totally, they have managed to capture 47 ships and take 867 hostages. Most of vessels were released for ransoms. Several sailors died during pirate attacks.

Somalia can't solve the piracy problem due to absence of united state. Since 1991 with the downfall of Siad Barre's dictatorship, the country has been lost in chaos and anarchy. At present, international community recognizes the Federal Government of Somalia as the only lawful authority in the country. This government, however, controls just one part of capital city Mogadishu. Rest of the country's territory is divided by numerous organizations. Several "states" and criminal groupings have been and probably are currently acting in Somalia.

Source: Infox.Ru, photo: Somali pirates ( sonicey.com)