Wednesday March 13, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Pirates have hijacked the Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier MV Abdullah, demanding a $5 million ransom for the ship and its 23 crew members. The vessel, carrying coal from Mozambique to the UAE, was taken near the Somali coast. Pirates aboard have threatened to kill the crew unless their demands are met, with reports indicating they are heavily armed.
The Bangladesh government and international partners, including India, are actively working to secure the crew's safe return. However, officials have yet to establish contact with the hijackers. The EU's EUNAVFOR Atalanta operation is monitoring the situation and coordinating with Bangladeshi and Somali authorities.
The MV Abdullah was located approximately 170 nautical miles east of Somalia, moving at a speed between 11 and 14 knots. The ship appears headed for Garakad, Somalia, an area previously associated with piracy. The crew was reported safe but confined, and the pirates seized communication devices.
The hijacking marks a resurgence of piracy off the Somali coast, challenging the 2022 declaration that the region no longer posed a significant threat to global shipping.
International efforts to combat piracy have included the deployment of naval forces and improved maritime security measures. Despite these efforts, the challenge of policing the expansive territorial waters remains significant. Addressing the root causes of piracy in Somalia is crucial for long-term stability and security in the region.
Tackling the fundamental issues fueling piracy in Somalia, such as chronic poverty, widespread lawlessness, and the absence of an effective central government, contributes to the piracy problem, attracting unemployed youth to criminal activities.