Gunmen holding a Dutch ship in northern Somalia demanded a $1,1-million ransom for the vessel on Tuesday, a day after the United Nations Security Council gave countries the right to combat piracy off the Somali coastline.
The MV Amiya Scan, managed by the Dutch Reider Shipping BV, was hijacked by Somali pirates on May 27 as it made its way to Romania from the Kenyan port city of Mombasa.
”The pirates holding the Dutch ship demand a ransom of $ 1,1-million while the owners say they are willing to pay $700 000,” said a close ally of the pirates who gave his name only as Abdullahi. The company was not immediately available to comment.
”Negotiations are ongoing and the crew are in good health,” Abdullahi added about the nine Russian and Filipino crewmembers.
Abdullahi said he takes food and other goods to the gunmen who are holed up in Eyl, a fishing town along the Indian Ocean.
Hijackings are common in the chaotic country’s un-patrolled waters, where pirates normally treat their hostages well in anticipation of hefty ransoms.
The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday authorising some countries to conduct anti-piracy actions in Somali waters after a surge in hijackings.
Seizing ships is good business in Somalia which has been without an effective central government since 1991.
Late last week, Somali pirates seized two freighters although little was known about the vessels, residents said. – Reuters 2008.