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Somali pirates seize supertanker Somali pirates seize supertanker
(19 minutes later)
Somali pirates have captured a tanker carrying oil to the US, officials say.Somali pirates have captured a tanker carrying oil to the US, officials say.
The Greek-owned Maran Centaurus was about 1,300km (800 miles) off Somalia when it was hijacked on Sunday, said the EU Naval task force (Navfor).The Greek-owned Maran Centaurus was about 1,300km (800 miles) off Somalia when it was hijacked on Sunday, said the EU Naval task force (Navfor).
The ship weighs some 300,000 tonnes and is believed to be one of the largest yet seized by Somali pirates. There are 28 crew members on board.The ship weighs some 300,000 tonnes and is believed to be one of the largest yet seized by Somali pirates. There are 28 crew members on board.
Pirate attacks have been common off the Somali coast and international navies have been deployed to counter them.Pirate attacks have been common off the Somali coast and international navies have been deployed to counter them.
A spokesman for the Greek coastguard told Reuters news agency that about nine armed pirates attacked the ship close to the Seychelles.A spokesman for the Greek coastguard told Reuters news agency that about nine armed pirates attacked the ship close to the Seychelles.
The agency reported the Greek defence ministry as saying that a Greek navy frigate which had been involved with the Navfor operation was now shadowing the vessel.The agency reported the Greek defence ministry as saying that a Greek navy frigate which had been involved with the Navfor operation was now shadowing the vessel.
Navfor said the ship had been sailing to New Orleans in the US from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia but was now heading towards Somalia.Navfor said the ship had been sailing to New Orleans in the US from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia but was now heading towards Somalia.
Its crew is made up of 16 Filipinos, nine Greeks, two Ukrainians and one Romanian.Its crew is made up of 16 Filipinos, nine Greeks, two Ukrainians and one Romanian.
Maran Tankers Management, which operates the vessel, told Reuters the crew were "well".Maran Tankers Management, which operates the vessel, told Reuters the crew were "well".
'Mother ships''Mother ships'
War-torn Somalia has had no functioning government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate along the lawless coast almost with impunity.War-torn Somalia has had no functioning government since 1991, allowing pirates to operate along the lawless coast almost with impunity.
A $3m ransom was paid for the release of the Sirius Star
In recent months, the pirates have started operating further from the Somali coast.In recent months, the pirates have started operating further from the Somali coast.
They are believed to use "mother-ships" to reach the high seas, before using small skiffs to carry out their attacks.They are believed to use "mother-ships" to reach the high seas, before using small skiffs to carry out their attacks.
An EU naval spokesman told the BBC 11 vessels and 264 crew members are currently being held in Somalia.An EU naval spokesman told the BBC 11 vessels and 264 crew members are currently being held in Somalia.
In November 2008, the Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of oil - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - became the largest ship ever seized by pirates. It weighs 318,000 tonnes.In November 2008, the Sirius Star, carrying two million barrels of oil - a quarter of Saudi Arabia's daily output - became the largest ship ever seized by pirates. It weighs 318,000 tonnes.
The vessel was released in January after a ransom of $3m (then £1.95m) was paid.The vessel was released in January after a ransom of $3m (then £1.95m) was paid.
Navfor is one of several international naval forces patrolling the oceans off the country to try to prevent the captures of ships using the vital sea routes. Nato and the US also lead task forces.Navfor is one of several international naval forces patrolling the oceans off the country to try to prevent the captures of ships using the vital sea routes. Nato and the US also lead task forces.
Earlier this month, the US began using unmanned drones to scour the Indian Ocean for suspect vessels.Earlier this month, the US began using unmanned drones to scour the Indian Ocean for suspect vessels.