UPDATE ON PIRACY EVENT INVOLVING THE BANGLADESH-FLAGGED BULK CARRIER MERCHANT VESSEL ABDULLAH

Operation ATALANTA continues monitoring the piracy event involving the Bangladesh-flagged Bulk carrier merchant vessel ABDULLAH. The position of the event initially was 600NM east of Mogadishu, Somalia. The last know position is 0641N-04719E where the vessel is anchored.

Visual information gathered from ATALANTA of the merchant vessel shows at least 12 confirm alleged pirates on board the ship although the initial alert of the hijack pointed at a group of 20-armed people. It is possible that the origin of the pirates taking part in this hijacked is the same as MV RUEN.

Three camps of alleged pirates’ groups have been identified in different areas in the North, center and South of Somali Coast. From these camps they support hijacking operations.

The situation on board remains the same, the crew has reported to be safe, and the action is still ongoing.

Operation ATALANTA is keeping contact with Bangladesh and Somali authorities and with our partners in maritime security in the area to coordinate the most efficient action.

Operation ATALANTA