Somali pirates seize cargo ship off Somalia

Somali pirates have captured the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Lutuf off the coast of Somalia, in another piracy incident in the western Indian Ocean, Splash 247 reports.

UKMTO said the incident took place 4 nautical miles south of Mareeyo, Somalia, following a report from the vessel’s company security officer.

Eight armed men boarded the 1995-built vessel and took control of it. The condition of the crew has not been confirmed.

The hijacking highlights the growing threat from Somali piracy. Four vessels and 44 seafarers are currently being held by Somali pirates.

Recent attacks show that pirate groups can operate far from the Somali coast. They often use captured fishing boats and dhows as motherships to launch attacks from smaller boats.

To address the growing threat, countries in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden have backed a new multinational maritime task force. The Combined DCoC Task Force will allow regional states to coordinate maritime operations alongside existing international naval missions.

 

Picture: UKMTO