Somalia pirates demand $10 million from Chinese fishing crew

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia pirates are seemingly back to deep waters following the seizure of a Chinese fishing vessel from which they are demanding at least $10 million in ransom, which creates fear within the Indian Ocean waters.

Presently, traditional elders representing the pirates and representation from the crew are in negotiations over the amount required to free their vessel with 18 crew members, with the owner giving an "unacceptable" offer.

A local representative of the police in the Puntland region of Somalia told the media 10 days ago that they believed the vessel was seized in late November. They said the pirates had continued to move the vessel between various locations to avoid detection by the coast guard.

Further reports indicate that the vessel and its crew could have been betrayed since two Somali guards were sailing in it. The vessel is registered in Taiwan, a breakaway region of China, and its license is said to have expired.

The EU operation Atalanta reported on December 5 that it had been informed and investigated. The incident was labeled an alleged hijacking and later an armed robbery because the vessel was remaining within Somali coastal waters according to Atalanta.

Armed individuals with AK 47 were sighted in the vessel but no injuries were reported to date. The initial ransom demand was $5 million but the owners had agreed to part with $300000 before it was raised to $1 million.

Atalanta reports that it has documented reports of 20 attacks in 2024 including ones that were not successful in seizing vessels. It however notes that there is an unknown number of unreported/unconfirmed incidents involving dhows and smaller vessels, AP reports.

The hijackers also shared photos on social media of their captives surrounded by armed men on the ship’s deck. The vessel was first taken to Xaafuun in Puntland..A Somali government official said the vessel was issued a fishing license by Puntland in 2020 before its expiry..

GAROWE ONLINE