Bulk carrier Abdullah (IMO: 9745598, 32714 gt, built 2015) was reported under attack by pirates in the vicinity of position 01 27 00N, 054 53 00E, about 550 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, Somalia, at approximately 0900 hrs (GMT) on 12th March 2024. Vessel was boarded by 20 Somali Pirates while vessel was loaded with coal and heading to UAE port.
Master and 2nd Officer were captured by the pirates as other had taken shelter in the citadel. It was reported that there were 23 crew onboard including the Master. Vessel had changed its position while was in control of pirates. Indian navy went close to the vessel and then vessel changed its position.
Bangladesh`s Foreign Ministry had declined to permit EU, Indian Navy warships to rescue bulk carrier Abdullah to avoid any crew casualty or put in danger the life of them. The ministry’s top official believed that conducting a military operation always risks casualties. “Given that the ship owner had agreed to pay the ransom, there was no need for such action,” Rear Admiral (retd) Khorshed Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maritime unit, told reporters on 17th March 2024.
It was reported that contacts were established with the pirates on 20th March and negotiations started for the ransom.
There were some attempt from navy which again prompted the pirates to move the vessel closer to Somalian coast.
Vessel has been released, said to be after ransom payment, today and has departed to UAE. The crew are said to be in healthy condition. As per AIS data vessel had started sailing on 13th April itself but at low speed around 6.5 Knots. The last AIS data shows speed of 11.5 Knots and destination as Hamriyah, UAEat around 0820 Z/14th March 2024.