Somali pirates seize Chinese carrier

A bulk carrier operated by China’s biggest shipping company has been hijacked 700 miles off Somalia’s east coast in an incident that highlights the increasing ability of Somalia’s pirates to attack far out into the Indian Ocean.

The 225m-long De Xin Hai, operated by Cosco, was further from land than any vessel previously captured by Somali pirates, according to the London-based International Maritime Bureau, which monitors piracy.

The vessel’s capture was reported by EU Navfor,
the European Union force set up to combat Somali piracy.

Cyrus Mody, a manager at the IMB, said the Chinese vessel was the third ship captured this month off Somalia.

All have been seized in the Indian Ocean off eastern Somalia, rather than in the Gulf of Aden north of the country. “Pirate Alley,” the area of the Gulf of Aden traditionally most prone to pirate activity, is now heavily patrolled by international naval forces. The shift in the pirate threat to eastern Somalia reflects a number of different factors, according to analysts.

The autonomous Puntland area off northern Somalia has set up its own coastguard and appears to be taking steps to combat its reputation as a pirate hotbed.

Meanwhile, Islamist militias no longer appear to be restraining pirates from the east coast.

EU Navfor said the De Xin Hai was hijacked around noon local time on Monday. Four pirates were visible and the ship was towing two of the skiffs pirates use to approach
and board large vessels, it said.

The Chinese ship had 25 crew on board, taking to 146 the number of seafarers currently held hostage by Somali pirates. There were already five ships being held by pirates before the De Xin Hai attack, according to the IMB.

Pirates are restarting activity after the Indian Ocean monsoon, which makes sea conditions too rough for skiffs. Attacks as far from land as Monday’s depend on “mother ships” – larger vessels from which small boats can be launched.

There is pressure on international navies to search harder for such vessels, but the vast sea area involved has made it difficult.