MOGADISHU (Halbeeg News) – Suspected Somali pirates have allegedly hijacked a Panama-flagged ship for the first times since the beginning of this year.
The vessel which sail from United Arab Emirates (UAE) reportedly encountered mechanical issues on a trip to the capital Mogadishu.
According to Muse Salah, Puntland officials, armed men estimated to be six in number had attacked the ship on Wednesday night.
The official said the number of the people on board, their nationalities and conditions were not yet clear.
He confirmed that there are ongoing efforts to begin negotiations with the pirates.
Newsweek, an American magazine quoting ship-tracking service Maritime Trackers confirmed that Aegean II “indeed seems to be the vessel” involved.
Last year, United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2500 renewing the authorization for Somalia anti-piracy measures to December of 2020.
The United States-drafted resolution has decided to renew for 12 months the authorization for states and regional organizations cooperating with Somalia to enter into Somali territorial waters and use all necessary means for the purpose of repressing acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea.
Somali pirates made $7 billion since 2007, and 1,000 individuals have been taken hostage since that time.
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