According to anti-piracy task force EU NAVFOR, the bulk carrier M/V Sinar Kudus was hijacked by pirates approximately 320 nautical miles North Eas of the island of Socotra in the Somali Basin. Just hours after her capture, the vessel was boarded by 30 to 50 pirates and used as a mothership for an attack another bulker, the M/V Emperor. That attack however went unsuccesful when the pirates were repelled by group armed guards aboard the Emperor.
The M/V Sinar Kudos is Indonesian flagged and owned and reportedly has a crew of 20, all Indonesian.
Meanwhile, the Panamanian flagged chemical tanker M/V Hannibal II and her crew of 30 were released from pirate control after being held captive since November 11.
Pictured: Top M/V Sinar Kudus hijacked by pirates on March 16. Bottom M/V Hannibal II released by pirates after being held since November. Photos courtesy EU NAVFOR
UPDATE: A hijacked cargo ship was observed being used by pirates as a mother ship 1200Z on 18 March approximately 94 NM southeast of Sur, Oman, at 21:34N 060:51E. This area will remain high risk for at least the next 24-48 hours.
