Armed Somali pirates demand ransom for hijacked oil tanker

Armed men have stormed an oil tanker off the coast of Somalia, in what is the first hijacking in the region for five years.

Dozens of armed pirates are feared to be on board the tanker. Pic: EU Naval Force
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By Connor Sephton

Armed Somali pirates who have hijacked an oil tanker with eight crew on board are demanding a ransom for the vessel's release.

Most of the sailors being held captive have been locked in a room, with lines of communication cut off to frustrate any rescue attempts.

The tanker has now been anchored near the Somali town of Alula, and a local elder says "more armed men have boarded the ship".

Weapon smugglers are known to operate in Alula, as well as members of al Shabaab, an extremist group with links to al Qaeda.

The hijacking began on Monday when the captain of Aris 13 sent a mayday alert as two skiffs closed in on the tanker in the Gulf of Aden.

Although the EU Naval Force made several attempts to make contact with the captain, they only received confirmation last night that armed pirates had stormed the ship and were demanding an unspecified ransom.

This is the first hijacking in the region for five years, and maritime experts have accused ship owners of becoming complacent after a long period of calm.

In October, the United Nations warned that the situation remained fragile, and Somali pirates still "possess the intent and capability to resume attacks".

Local aid groups said pirates in the region were still engaged in criminal activity, and had been waiting to "exploit the weakness" of ships that took unnecessary risks.

According to Oceans Against Piracy, Aris 13 was on a high-risk route, which is often used to save time and money.

"This attack reinforces the need for vessels to follow shipping industry best management practices within the specified high risk area," the organisation said.

The eight crew on board are all Sri Lankan nationals, and the country's foreign ministry said it is working to help ensure their "safety and welfare".

Pirates do not normally kill hostages unless they come under attack.

Families of the crew members have appealed to the pirates to release their loved ones unharmed, and said they fear for their relatives' lives.

Namali Makalandawa, the sister of the tanker's chief officer, said they have tried to phone the offices of the company which owns the ship - but their calls have gone unanswered.

Local residents say young men in Alula, where the tanker is now anchored, have turned to piracy because their livelihoods had been "destroyed" by foreign fishermen.

"They have been sailing through the ocean in search for a foreign ship … and found this ship and boarded it," Salad Nur told the Associated Press.

The ship's owner has not publicly commented on the hijacking.