One more vessel hijacked in Gulf of Aden

GANDHINAGAR - With the fate of seven Indian cargo vessels hijacked by Somalian pirates still hanging in the balance, there are reports that another cargo vessel which sailed from Dubai was also seized Tuesday. The vessel reportedly had a crew of 16, all from Kutch in Gujarat.

The vessel, Dubai registered Al Farari, had unloaded its cargo at Mogadishu and was on its way to a port identified as Ismail nearby when it was reportedly hijacked, said Ahmed Haji, a vessel owner from Mandvi in Kutch.

With this, now over 150 seafarers from Gujarat are being held captive on the high seas by Somali pirates.

Adam Bhaya, secretary of the Cargo Vessels Association, Gujarat, said Wednesday that small cargo vessel owners of India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have decided against plying to Somalia until their vessels are set free.

“We have demanded security for vessels plying in the broader expanse of the Gulf of Aden before we recommence operations on the route,” he added.

Ahmed Haji Hasan, whose vessel too was hijacked by the pirates last Sunday, confirmed that there has been no demand for ransom from the pirates till date.

“We are in constant touch with the families of the crew members of the vessels,” Hasan said.