by Ghulam Suhrawardi:

SINCE the first hijacking of Bangladeshi vessel MV Jahan Moni in December 2010, MV Abdullah was the second vessel to encounter the same fate this  March 12. The KSRM Group, the parent company of SR Shipping Limited, owns both the vessels. Based on experience, the shipping company has adequate knowledge of the Somali pirates.

The waters off Somalia were quiet for some time. Navies of various nations guard this area to protect their vessels. We are unaware of any Bangladeshi government or navy protection mechanism. Bangladesh’s maritime shipping is growing but is still small compared with that of other nations. Therefore, the Bangladesh navy’s role in safeguarding or rescuing the vessel or the crew is not an option now.

Having had the experience with the Jahan Moni, I believe the vessel’s owners are in the best position to navigate this ordeal.

Some fake news floated on the Indian media and our news channels were later identified as untrue. Any future rescue operations and cooperation with foreign forces should be coordinated with the vessel owners.

The ship’s crew sent out a message that read: ‘MV Abdullah. Pirates attack on Somalia, please help us. They have guns. We are attacked.’ Asifur Rahman, a crew member, posted on Facebook that the ship was being ‘attacked by Somalian pirates,’ and shared a video showing the pirates boarding the vessel.

The MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi vessel with 23 crew members, was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on March 12 by around 50 Somali pirates.

Ambrey, a maritime security firm, confirmed that a group of armed individuals had taken over the ship. The security firm claimed the incident occurred in the Indian Ocean approximately 600 nautical miles (1,111km) east of the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Assuming the hijackers are pirates will only mislead readers. They are well-trained navigators and business people who understand maritime business operations. They want ransom in a very expeditious and secure manner. They exactly know where the source of the money is? The vessel’s insurers P&I Indemnity Club has to liaise with the pirates and commence negotiations. Obviously, this will be conducted discreetly.

The news that the Puntland Maritime Police Force has arrested some hijackers may not hold water. PMPF is a well-armed unit trained by paramilitary South African mercenaries who are personally loyal to the established government of Puntland, but it has its own political issues.

In the meantime, the Bangladeshi crew has developed a cordial relationship with the pirates. In such a sensitive situation, our media and the government must navigate with caution. Being the month of Ramadan and the pirates being Muslims may play some role. We must wait and see what comes next.

Ghulam Suhrawardi is involved in a maritime-related business based in the United States with branches worldwide. He is president of the Bangladesh Marine Academy Alumni Association.