Somalia: mv Abdullah hijacked, $5m ransom paid, released

(Reuters) -Somali pirates released a hijacked ship, MV Abdullah, and its crew of 23 early on Sunday after a $5 million ransom was paid, according to two pirates.
“The money was brought to us two nights ago as usual… we checked whether the money was fake or not. Then we divided the money into groups and left, avoiding the government forces,” Abdirashiid Yusuf, one of the pirates, told Reuters.

[March 27 2024 demand – swift resolution? ]
Captain Shakhawat Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, confirmed the crew’s wellbeing. “While these negotiations can be lengthy, we believe SR Shipping’s efforts will lead to a swift resolution,” he said.

[March 25 2024 ]
Eleven out of the 23 crew members of a Bangladeshi cargo vessel, MV Abdullah, that was hijacked by a group of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, are residents of Chattogram.

Pirates have demanded $5 million (₹420 million) for release of 23 Bangladeshi crew held captive aboard the ship MV Abdullah.

[March 21 2024 Somalia: mv Abdullah hijacked, pirates talking ]

Somali pirates who hijacked the Bangladeshi-flagged Abdullah bulk carrier last week have made their first contact with the vessel’s owner, SR Shipping. No ransom demands have been made yet for the 23 crew abducted on March 12. General talks about the ship and the crew members took place. They informed us that all the crew members were safe and sound. They will not be tortured.”

[March 19 2024 Puntland police on high alert ]

“While pirates pose a threat in open waters,” explained Captain Anam Chowdhury of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, “their power significantly increases near the coast. A peaceful resolution is absolutely the most viable course of action at this time.” In 2010, the MV Jahan Moni was held captive for 100 days before the crew’s release upon ransom payment.

[March 18 2024 ]

An Indian warship, reportedly INS Tarkash, was diverted.

It intercepted the hijacked MV Abdullah on Mar 14 morning and ascertained the safety of the hostages.

The warship continued to maintain in close vicinity of the hijacked ship until its arrival in the territorial waters of Somalia, according to the Indian Navy.

INS Tarkash

[9:49 an est ]

The police force from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland, a base for many pirate gangs, said it was on high alert and prepared to participate in an operation against the pirates holding the Abdullah. India mum.

[March 17 2024 ]

A Bangladeshi flag carrier ship has been hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean near Somalia. The ship named “MV Abdullah” was carrying coal from Mozambique’s Maputo port to Al Hamriyah Port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The ship is owned by KSRM Group’s SR Shipping. The ship had 23 Bangladeshi sailors on board. All of them have been taken hostage, according to the ship’s owners.