Somali pirates move hijacked vessel Abdullah closer to shore as crew held for ransom

Somali pirates, who commandeered the bulk carrier Abdullah (IMO 9745598) approximately 600 miles off the African coast, have shifted the vessel closer to the Somali shoreline in a strategic move to evade potential rescue attempts.

The Bangladeshi-owned bulker, laden with 55,000 tons of coal bound for a UAE customer from Maputo in Mozambique, fell into the hands of pirates on 12th March, marking the onset of a hostage situation.

With a crew of 23 individuals now held captive, the pirates have manoeuvred the Abdullah within the 12-nautical mile limit off the Somali coast, a tactical decision aimed at circumventing encounters with international naval patrols that have been deployed to combat piracy in the region.

The relocation strategy follows the recent capture of pirates aboard another vessel, Ruen, by an Indian frigate, with support from a European Union naval asset. The interception of the Ruen, believed to have been destined for a rendezvous with the Abdullah, led to the surrender of the pirates after a brief exchange of gunfire.

The pirates’ relocation to shallower waters aims to mitigate the risk of being outgunned by naval forces while maintaining control over the hijacked vessel.

Previous warnings issued by the pirates underscored the potential jeopardy faced by the crew if rescue operations were attempted.

Abdullah is presently anchored a mere 4 nautical miles off the Somali coast, under the control of a fresh contingent of 11 pirates who have assumed command of the ship, succeeding the initial captors. Fortunately, reports indicate that the ship’s crew remains unharmed and in good health amidst the ordeal.

The owners of Abdullah, familiar with the complexities of maritime piracy, have signaled their willingness to engage with the current pirates to facilitate the safe release of the vessel and its crew. This stance echoes past experiences, such as the 2010 release of another vessel owned by the same operators, Jahan Moni, following a ransom payment.