Pirates take ransom, keep Indian hostages, thus upping piracy stakes

摘要

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), ITF, Indian National Shipowners' Association, NUSI, MUI, IMEC, InterManager, Intertanko and BIMCO have jointly released a statement deploring the latest development in the Indian Ocean piracy crisis as some Indian crew members of a released merchant ship are retained ashore in Somalia. The 'Asphalt Venture', a 1991-built asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 28, 2010 and, following a ransom payment, the ship was released on April 15. Despite the owners concluding a dialogue with the pirates for the full release of 15 crew and vessel and payment of the ransom, the vessel was released but the master has reported that six officers and one rating were taken off the tanker and made to accompany the pirates ashore.