Pirates Guard Vessel with Crew of 18 Offshore
By JD
The MT Enrico Ievoli, owned by the Italian shipping company Marnavi, was taken by pirates last Wednesday and is now anchored off Dhinooda village, in Somalia’s Mudug region. Local residents and pirates have confirmed that the vessel, guarded by armed pirates, is now anchored off Dhinooda.
“Now the vessel is in Dhinooda village, a number of pirates have arrived in town” Abdurahman Muxumud, a resident in Dhinooda village told Somalia Report today.
Although group of pirates from the Hawiye-clan based in Harardheere claimed last Wednesday that they hijacked this vessel, residents and pirates told Somalia Report that hijackers are from the Majeerteen- sub clan of Daarood, which is based in Garacad.
“They are not from Hawiye-clan; they are from Darood-clan“ Abdurahman Muxumud added.
A pirate based in Dhinooda village spoke to Somalia Report and confirmed that the MT Enrico Ievoli is anchored off Dhinooda Village.
“Now the pirates are in Dhinooda, they will have a conference on the vessel about the financial aspects of the operation” Ali, a pirate in Dhinooda told Somalia Report.
“About the conference ……I can’t tell you more information about my friends, but they are discussing the ransom. Looyaan also joined the conference and he will be their negotiator” Ali added.
Looyaan is, from Isse Mohamoud clan (a sub-clan of Majeerteen). He is well known pirate negotiator. On 3 November, Looyaan was involved in the release of the Algerian MV Blida after $3.5million ransom payment.
The group of pirates those hijacked MT Enrico Ievoli are from Omar Mohamoud clan (a sub-clan of Majeerteen). The leader’s name is Abdulaahi Yare (from Omar Mohamoud) and he is well known pirate commander in Puntland regions.
The Enrico Ievoli is carrying caustic soda, and is an Italian-flagged and owned ship. A crew of 18 remain onboard (6 Italians, 5 Ukrainians and 7 Indians). The vessel did not have a security team on board at the time of piracy attack, or a citadel, according to military sources.
This article was posted by Neptune Maritime Security with the kind permission of SomaliaReport.com. MaritimeSecurity.Asia in cooperation with www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com
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