Statistics of pirated and released vessels and crews  2010 – 2012

Maritime Bulletin http://www.odin.tc

 

 

Classification of highjacked vessels

Filed in Table only ocean-going merchant marine vessels, with unique IMO number, with more or less transparent history and known owners and operators, with known number and nationalities of crews.

No local vessels included, almost all of them, with regards to Somali piracy region, are so-called “dhow’. They are engaged in regional trade, goods may be anything from charcoal to illegal migrants. They don’t have IMO number, they aren’t listed in international reference books, they aren’t insured with international insurers, their owner may be any petty company or person along the coastlines of India, Pakistan, Persian Gulf, Oman or Red Sea. For world shipping, these vessels, their owners, their masters and their crews, are simply non-existent. Their costs may be thousands of USD, even maybe tens of thousands, but not anywhere close to the costs of international freighters. Their goods may cost thousands or tens of thousands USD, but not anywhere close to costs of cargoes carried by international freighters. To include in statistics local vessels means to mess all up – even those who’re trying to monitor hijacked local vessels  can’t tell exact details of vessels and crews (including number of crews and nationalities), and hijack circumstances, whether vessel was really hijacked or it was prearranged, and vessel stays with pirates on some agreement.

 

Mikhail Voytenko

Ph: +66 895 010574

vmd@odin.tc

Skype: odin.tc

 

Vessels in captivity

No

Name and type

Nationality

Date of hijack

No of crew

Remarks

1

Ro-ro Iceberg I  

UAE

29.03.10

24

Owner in fact, abandoned vessel and crew. Vessel aground and is a total loss. Fate of crew unclear.

2

Boxship Albedo

Malaysia

26.11.10

21

 

3

Bulk carrier Orna

UAE

20.12.10

19

 

4

Product tanker Liquid Velvet

Greece

31.10.11

22

 

5

Bulk carrier Free Goddess

Greece

08.02.12

21

 

6

Tanker Royal Grace

UAE

02.03.12

22

Nationalities India, Pak, Nideria

7

Suezmax tanker Smyrni

Greece

10.05.12

26

 

 

Total 7 vessels

 

 

165

 

49 Land hostages:

17 seamen: 6 crew (2 Danish, 4 Philippinese) from MV Leopard; 7 Indian crew from released tanker Asphalt Venture; 4 South Korean crew from released tanker Gemini.

30 fishermen: 4 fishermen from Thai f/v Prantalay 12; 26 fishermen (13 Chinese, 12 Vietnamese and 1 Taiwanese) from f/v Shiuh Fu No 1.

2 yachtsmen from the yacht Choizil (SAR).

 

Total  214 (165+49) seamen, fishermen and yachtsmen.

 

Crews by nationality:

Bangladesh 6(Albedo)

Ghana: 4(Iceberg I)

Greece: 1 (Liquid Velvet)

India: 6(Iceberg I) + 7(Asphalt Venture – vessel released, but 7 still hold by pirates) + 14(Smyrni) = 27;  + ?(Royal Grace)

Iran 1(Albedo)

Yemen: 9(Iceberg I)

Nigeria: ?(Royal Grace)

Pakistan: 2(Iceberg I) + 7(Albedo) + ?(Royal Grace)

Philippines: 1(Iceberg I) + 21(Liquid Velvet) + 21(Free Goddess) + 11(Smyrni) = 54

Romania: 1(Smyrni)

South Korea: 4 (Gemini – kept on land after tanker release)

Syria: 18 (Orna)

Sri Lanka 1(Orna) + 7(Albedo) = 8

Sudan: 2(Iceberg I)

 

Tanker Royal Grace crew 22: India, Pakistan, Nigeria

 

Vessels’ nationality:

Greece 3

Malaysia 1

UAE 3

 

Type of vessels:

Tankers – 3

Boxships - 1

Ro-ro – 1

Bulk carriers - 2

 

List of merchant vessels presently held by Somali pirates

 

Ro-ro Iceberg I, UAE

Ro-ro Iceberg I pirated on March 29 10 nm off Aden, crew 24: nationalities 9 Yemen, 6 India, 4 Ghana, 2 Sudan, 2 Pakistan, 1 Philippines. Iceberg I IMO 7429102, dwt 3960, built 1976, flag Panama, owner Azal Shipping & Cargo Dubai.  

 

Boxship Albedo, Malaysia

Boxship Albedo highjacked on Nov 26 2010 in Indian ocean, vessel was enroute from Jebel Ali UAE to Mombasa Kenya, loaded with containers. Crew 23, nationalities Pakistan, Bangladesh, Shri Lanka, Iran. Albedo IMO 9041162, dwt 15562, built 1993, flag Malaysia, owner Majestic Enrich Shipping Sendirian Berhad.

Intitially crew of 23 was reported, but latest news say, that “one crew member, an Indian, has died from cholera, while the others, seven Pakistanis including the captain, seven Sri Lankans, six Bangladeshis and one Iranian have survived the ordeal, each losing 20kg to 30kg”, which makes the crew of 22, not 23.

 

Bulk carrier Orna, UAE

Bulk carrier Orna highjacked at midday Dec 20 2010 in Indian oecan in pos in 01 46S 060 32E, some 400 nm NE off Seyshelles. The attack was launched from 2 attack skiffs, with pirates firing small arms and rocket propelled grenades at the merchant vessel. The vessel was stopped and boarded by at least 4 pirates. Vessel was enroute Durban South Africa - Zhangzhou China carrying 26,500 tonnes of coal. Crew 19: 1 Shri Lanka and 18 Syria. Orna IMO 8312162, dwt 27915, built 1984, flag Panama. Registered owner Sirago Shipmanagement Co., operator Swedish Management, Dubai United Arab Emirates.

 

Product tanker Liquid Velvet, Greece

Product tanker Liquid Velvet was hijacked by Somali pirates at 1152 UTC Oct 31 in position 1200N 04533E, while transiting the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) from Suez to Mormugao, Goa, India. Vessel was fully complying with BMP4, after pirates boarded tanker crew, including 1 unarmed security personnel, hided in citadel, but pirates broke in and hijack tanker. Crew is 22: 21 Filipino and 1 Greek (security). Product tanker Liquid Velvet (Liquid Challenge till 01.10.2009) IMO 9083940, dwt 11559, built 1994, flag Marshall Islands, owner Minimal Enterprises Co., manager Elmira Tankers Management SA, both Greece.

  

Bulk carrier Free Goddess, Greece

Feb 08 2012 Somali pirates hijack bulk carrier Free Goddess at 1438UTC in position 13 32 N 058 36 E, 250 nm ENE of eastern tip of Socotra island, Arabian sea. Apparently vessel didn’t have armed guards on board. NATO reported probable hijack on Feb 9. Vessel was en route from Adabiya Egypt to Ko Si Chang Thailand with presumably, cargo of steel. Somalia Report says crew is 21, all Filipino.

Bulk carrier Free Goddess IMO 9107045, dwt 22051, built 1995, flag Liberia, manager Free Bulkers S.A., Greece.

 

Tanker Royal Grace, UAE

Tanker Royal Grace was hijacked by pirates on March 2 at around 1230 GMT in position 16 34N 59 48E in Arabian sea, some 180 nm off Oman coast. After the hijack vessel is moving towards Somali coast. Tanker was sailing from Dubai to unknown destination, nothing is known about cargo. Crew is 22, comprised of Indian, Pakistani and Nigerian nationals. Chemical tanker Royal Grace IMO 8410407, dwt 6813, built 1984, flag Panama, manager Oyster Cargo and Shipping LLC, UAE.

 

Suezmax tanker Smyrni, Greece

Suezmax tanker Smyrni hijacked by Somali pirates on May 10 2012 in position 15 58 N 061 03 E, Arabian sea, 250 nm off Oman coast, 440 nm of Socotra island eastern tip, Arabian sea. Tanker was sailing from Ceyhan Turkey via Suez Canal to Basrah Iraq, according to AIS data. Smyrni was transiting in the International Transit Corridor and reportedly, didn’t have security team aboard. It is reported also, that probably, the tanker was violently attacked the day before, suffering heavy RPG and AK 47 fire. Tanker is loaded with 135000 mt of Azerbaijan crude oil of some $130 million market value, destined for refineries in Balikpapan Indonesia, PT Pertamina Co. The destination discrepancy between AIS data and statements of owners of the vessel and cargo is not explained. Crew 26: 14 Indians, 11 Filipino and 1 Romanian. Manager obviously, decided to save money on security guards believing Somali piracy is about over. Crude oil tanker Smyrni IMO 9493779, dwt 156000, built 2011, flag Liberia, manager DYNACOM TANKERS MANAGEMENT LTD, Greece.

 

 

 

Hijack statistics 2012

No

Name and type

IMO, dwt, built

Nationality

Crew

Hijack

Release

Remarks

1

Bulk carrier Free Goddess

9107045, 22051, 1995

Greece

21

08.02.12

 

 

2

Ro-ro Leila

7302794, GRT 2292, 1973

UAE

15

17.02.12

 12.04.12

 

3

Tanker Royal Grace

 8410407, 6813, 1984

UAE 

22 

02.03.12 

 

 

4

 Bulk carrier Eglantine

 9193202, 63400, 2000

 Iran

 23

 26.03.12

 02.04.12

 

5

 General cargo vessel Xiang Hua Men

 8707331, 20705, 1987

 China

 28

 06.04.12

 06.04.12

 

6

 Suezmax tanker Smyrni

 9493779, 156000, 2011

 Greece

26 

 10.05.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Release statistics 2012

No

Name and type, IMO

Nationality

Crew

Dates

Ransom ($ million)

Remarks (*)

hijacked

released

1

Tanker Olib G. 8026608

Greece

18

08.09.10

08.01.12

3

* Tanker left to rot in Somalia

2

Chem tanker Fairchem Bogey 9423750

Singapore

21

20.08.11

12.01.12

8

*

3

Bulk carrier Eglantine 9193202

Iran

23

26.03.12

02.04.12

ransom not paid

released under unknown circumstances

4

General cargo vessel Xiang Hua Men

8707331

 China

 28

 06.04.12

 06.04.12

ransom not paid

freed by Iran Navy

5

ro-ro Leila

7302794

 UAE

 15

 17.02.12

 12.04.12

0.15

**

6

Tanker Enrico Levoli 9188415

 Italy

 18

 27.12.11

 23.04.12

?

 

 

* - sum of the ransom reported by pirates, no confirmation or otherwise from other sources, actual ransoms are at least 1/3 less than claimed.

** - Vessel was trading between Gulf countries and Somali for years without any problem, apparently under protection of some influential and powerful enough businessmen and groups in Somali, until she was hijacked on Feb 17 2012 by desperate pirates, who couldn’t but know about the protection, but didn’t care any more. Pirates were under considerable pressure from all involved parties, including olders, from the day of the hijack, and finally released the vessel for seemingly very realistic $150,000.

 

Comparative Table of Hijacks in years 2010 – 2011 - 2012

 

 

2010

2011

2012

Month

No

Date

Vessel

No

Date

Vessel

No

Date

Vessel

Jan

1

2

m/v Asian Glory

1

01

m/v Blida

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

17

m/v Eagle

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

19

m/v Hoang Son Sun

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

20

m/v Khaled Muhieddine K

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

22

m/v Beluga Nomination

 

 

 

Feb

1

03

m/v Rim

1

8

m/t Savina Caylyn

1

08

m/v Free Goddess

 

 

 

2

9

VLCC Irene SL

2

17

m/v Leila

 

 

 

3

12

m/v Sinin

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

28

m/v Dover

 

 

 

Mar

1

01

m/t Al Nisr Al Saudi

1

16

m/v Sinar Kudus

02 

m/t Royal Grace 

2

05

m/t UBT Ocean

2

28

m/t Zirku

 

 

 

3

23

m/v Frigia

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

23

m/v Talca

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

29

m/v Iceberg I

 

 

 

 2

 26

 m/v Eglantine *

Apr

1

04

VLCC Samho Dream

1

8

m/v Susan K

 1

 06

 m/v XiangHuaMen *

2

07

m/v Yasin C.

2

21

m/v Rosalia D'Amato

 

 

 

3

11

m/v Rak Africana

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

21

m/v VOC Daisy

 

 

 

 

 

 

May

1

08

m/t Marida Marguerite

 

 

 

 1

 10

 m/t Smyrni 

2

11

m/t Panega

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

12

m/v Eleni P

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jun

1

28

m/t Golden Blessing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jul

1

04

m/t Motivator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aug

1

02

m/v Suez

1

20

m/t Fairchem Bogey

 

 

 

Sep

1

08

m/t Oilb G

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

29

m/t Asphalt Venture

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct

1

10

m/v Izumi

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

23

m/t LPG York

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

30

m/t Polar

1

31

m/t Liquid Velvet

 

 

 

Nov

1

11

m/t Hannibal II

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

12

m/v Yuan Xiang

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

26

m/v Albedo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dec

1

10

m/v MSC Panama

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

11

m/v Renuar

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

20

m/v Orna

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

25

m/v Thor Nexus

1

27

m/t Enrico Levoli

 

 

 

Total

29

16

2

 * - freed by Iranian commandos notwithstanding risk to the crews, 2 crew Eglantine died, at least 1 crew Xiang Hua Men wounded

 

 

Release statistics 2011

No

Name and type, IMO

Nationality

Crew

Dates

Ransom ($ million)

Remarks (*)

hijacked

released

1

Product tanker Motivator 9340386

Greece

18

04.07.10

16.01.11

 

 

2

General cargo Izumi 9414955

Japan

20

10.10.10

27.02.11

4.5

*

3

General cargo Ems River 9551662

Germany

8

27.12.10

28.02.11

3

*

4

LPG tanker York 9220421

Greece

17

23.10.10

10.03.11

4.5

*

5

General cargo Rak Africana 8200553

UAE

26

11.04.10

09.03.11

2

* Abandoned by the crew after release, fate unknown, presumably sank

6

Bulk carrier Jahan Moni 9102954

Bangladesh

26

05.12.10

14.03.11

4.2

*

7

Chemical tanker Hannibal II 8011756

Tunisia

31

11.11.10

17.03.11

2

*

8

VLCC Irene SL 9285823

Greece

25

08.02.11

08.04.11

13.5 (?!)

*

9

General cargo Thor Nexus 8712491

Thailand

27

25.12.10

11.04.11

4.77

*

10

Heavylift Beluga Nomination 9356402

Germany

8

22.01.11

13.04.11

5

*

11

Asphalt tanker Asphalt Venture 8875798

UAE

15

29.09.10

15.04.11

3.6

* 7 Indian crew still in capture

12

Bulk carrier Renuar 9042221

Greece

24

11.12.10

23.04.11

6.0

*

13

General cargo Sinar Kudus 9172507

Indonesia

20

16.03.11

01.05.11

4.5

*

14

Bulk carrier Khaled Muhieddine K 8105650

Syria

25

20.01.11

26.05.11

2.5

*

15

General cargo Yuan Xiang 7609192

China

29

12.11.10

08.06.11

3.6

*

16

Tanker aframax Zirku 9237802

UAE

29

28.03.11

10.06.11

12.0 (?!)

*

17

General cargo Suez 8218720

Egypt

23

02.08.10

11.06.11

2.1

*

18

General cargo Susan K 9344370

Germany

10

08.04.11

16.06.11

5.7

*

19

Bulk carrier Sinin 9274941

Iran

21

12.02.11

13.08.11

 

 

20

Bulk carrier Eagle 8126408

Greece

24

17.01.11

20.08.11

6.0 (?!)

*

21

Tanker Polar 9299563

Greece

24

30.10.10

26.08.11

 

1 crew died in captivity

22

Boxship MSC Panama 8902125

USA

23

10.12.10

06.09.11

7.0 (?!)

*

23

Bulk carrier Hoang Son Sun 8323862

Vietnam

24

19.01.11

15.09.11

4.5

*

24

Bulk carrier Dover 7433634

Greece

23

28.02.11

30.09.11

3.8

*

25

Bulk carrier Blida 7705635

Algeria

27

01.01.11

03.11.11

2.6

*

26

Bulk carrier Rosalia D’Amato 9225201

Italy

21

21.04.11

25.11.11

6

* first pirates voiced 0.6 mil, later said it was 6 mil

27

Product tanker Gemini 8412352

Singapore

25

30.04.11

30.11.11

4

* 4 seamen of ROK nationality still in capture

28

Aframax tanker Savina Caylyn 9489285

Italy

22

08.02.11

21.12.11

11.5 (?!)

*

* - sum of the ransom reported by pirates, no confirmation or otherwise from other sources

Total some $130 million. Favourite figure given by pirates was $4.5 million. Well, it doesn’t matter much, because all those millions pirates are bragging about hardly exist, actual ransoms were at least one third less, so my estimation is, pirates got in total something between $80-90 million.

 

Release statistics 2010

No

Name and type

Dates

Ransom ($ million)

IMO No

hijack

release

1

Tanker Marida Marguerite

08.05.10

28.12.10

5.5

9445655

2

Bulk carrier Eleni P

12.02.10

11.12.10

 

9128025

3

Tanker Al Nisr Al Saudi

01.03.10

07.12.10

 

9058696

4

VLCC Samho Dream

04.04.10

06.11.10

9.5

9235737

5

Tanker  Golden Blessing

28.06.10

06.11.10

2.8

9539016

6

Bulk carrier VOC Daisy

21.04.10

16.10.10

 

9154555

7

Tanker  Panega

11.05.10

09.09.10

 

8511586

8

Bulk  carrier Frigia

23.03.10

29.07.10

 

7507485

9

Product  tanker UBT Ocean

05.03.10

20.07.10

 

9408360

10

Car carrier Asian Glory

02.01.10

11.06.10

5.8

9070474

11

Tanker  St. James Park

28.12.09

13.05.10

 

9072836

12

Reefer  Talca

23.03.10

11.05.10

 

8616324

13

Chemical  tanker Theresa VIII

16.11.09

16.03.10

3.5

8105923

14

Tuna fishing vessel Thai Union 3

29.09.09

07.03.10

3 – 3.5

8919415

15

Bulk  carrier Navios Apollon

28.12.09

28.02.10

 

9211145

16

Chemical  tanker Pramoni

01.01.10

26.02.10

 

9408803

17

VLCC Maran Centaurus

30.11.09

18.01.10

5.5

9073050

 

 

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