M.V. Abdullah update

M.V. Abdullah update

by Ghulam Suhrawardi 10 April 2024

As of the last news at hand, Pirates have demanded a staggering $5 million for the release of 23 Bangladeshi crew held captive aboard the ship MV Abdullah. The Bangladeshi-flagged vessel was seized earlier this month while en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates and subsequently taken to Somalia by the pirates.

The development comes amid an increased risk of piracy in the western Indian Ocean, which has increased with Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting ships going to or from Israel in the Red Sea region.

On 12 March, the MV Abdullah, carrying 55,000 tonnes of coal from Mozambique to Dubai, was captured by pirates, along with 23 sailors. The ship is now anchored off the coast of Gedoberjan in Somalia.

Earlier, it was hoped that the crew will return home before Eid to join their families. But as of today, it appears these hopes a bit far fetched.

Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers’ Association, in an interview with The Business Standard told that the negotiations are in the final stages but the exact amount of demanded ransom cannot be disclosed. The vessel’s insurors are in negotiation with the pirates.

The families are in no mood to celebrate their Eid festivals without the breadwinner home. They are tense with the slow pace of the negotiations and above all, there is no positive news at this time.

“There is progress in talks with the pirates. But no specific date or time has been fixed yet”; the media adviser to KSRM Group, Mr. Mizanul Islam said to a Daily Star reporter.  They are yet to confirm the finalising of negotiations.

He said the sailors are in good health, performing regular duties on board, and maintaining a cordial relationship with the pirates. They are managing water usage and food supplies adequately, without any cause for concern.