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Pirates hijack Greek oil tanker in Arabian Sea Pirates hijack Greek oil tanker in Arabian Sea
(40 minutes later)
Pirates have hijacked a Greek-owned oil tanker carrying 135,000 metric tonnes of crude oil in the Arabian Sea, the first successful attack on an oil tanker off the Horn of Africa in more than a year. Pirates have hijacked a Greek-owned oil tanker carrying 135,000 tonnes of crude oil in the Arabian Sea, the first successful attack on an oil tanker off the Horn of Africa in more than a year.
The vessel's manager, Dynacom Tankers Management, said it had lost contact with the crew of the MT Smyrni, a Suezmax-class tanker, following the attack off Oman at 11.15 GMT on Thursday.The vessel's manager, Dynacom Tankers Management, said it had lost contact with the crew of the MT Smyrni, a Suezmax-class tanker, following the attack off Oman at 11.15 GMT on Thursday.
"The Liberian-flagged tanker, the M/T Smyrni, is carrying a cargo of 135,000 MT of crude oil," it said. "The Liberian-flagged tanker, the MT Smyrni, is carrying a cargo of 135,000 tonnes of crude oil," it said.
Suezmax tankers typically can transport a crude oil cargo of up to 1m barrels, compared with 2 to 3m barrels for larger oil tankers. Suezmax tankers typically can transport a crude oil cargo of up to 1m barrels, compared with 2m to 3m barrels for larger oil tankers.
Dynacom gave no further details but Kenya-based piracy expert Andrew Mwangura said the vessel was heading for the Somali coastline. Industry websites said the tanker had sailed from Turkey, but there were mixed reports about its destination.Dynacom gave no further details but Kenya-based piracy expert Andrew Mwangura said the vessel was heading for the Somali coastline. Industry websites said the tanker had sailed from Turkey, but there were mixed reports about its destination.
"Aboard are nine Indians and about eight Filipinos," Mwangura, who is maritime editor of Somalia Report, said, adding: "It is headed to Somalia.""Aboard are nine Indians and about eight Filipinos," Mwangura, who is maritime editor of Somalia Report, said, adding: "It is headed to Somalia."
OceanUSlive.Org, a social networking site for the maritime industry, said the attack was one of four to have taken place in the Arabian Sea in the past few days after a lull in pirate activity.OceanUSlive.Org, a social networking site for the maritime industry, said the attack was one of four to have taken place in the Arabian Sea in the past few days after a lull in pirate activity.
The hijack success rate for Somali pirates has dropped sharply in recent months, due in part to more merchant ships using armed security guards, razor wire and water cannon to protect themselves.The hijack success rate for Somali pirates has dropped sharply in recent months, due in part to more merchant ships using armed security guards, razor wire and water cannon to protect themselves.
In its statement, Dynacom did not disclose whether the Smyrni was carrying private security personnel.In its statement, Dynacom did not disclose whether the Smyrni was carrying private security personnel.
On Wednesday, a pirate gang fired rocket-propelled grenades at a crude tanker 350 miles (565 km) east of Socotra, an island between Yemen and Somalia, according to OceanUSlive.org. On Wednesday, a gang of pirates fired rocket-propelled grenades at a crude tanker 350 miles (565 km) east of Socotra, an island between Yemen and Somalia, according to OceanUSlive.org.
Seaborne gangs have raked in an estimated $150m (£93m) in ransoms in what has become a highly organised, international criminal enterprise, say security analystsSeaborne gangs have raked in an estimated $150m (£93m) in ransoms in what has become a highly organised, international criminal enterprise, say security analysts
Somali pirates in December released an Italian-owned Aframax oil tanker – smaller than the Suezmax – after receiving an $11.5m (£7.1m) payment. The Savina Caylyn was seized in February 2011.Somali pirates in December released an Italian-owned Aframax oil tanker – smaller than the Suezmax – after receiving an $11.5m (£7.1m) payment. The Savina Caylyn was seized in February 2011.
Despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea owing to the vast distances involved.Despite successful efforts to quell attacks in the Gulf of Aden, international navies have struggled to contain piracy in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea owing to the vast distances involved.