The St Vincent & Grenadines flagged cargo ship MV RAK AFRIKANA has been hijacked this morning 11 April approximately 280 nautical miles west of Seychelles.
Previously, EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft spotted the MV and reported 8 POB (3 of them possible pirates) and several fuel barrels. ITS Scirocco from CTF 508 was heading towards the position to investigate. The RAK AFRIKANA has currently stopped due to engine problems but is now in the afternoon of 12 April heading towards the coast of Somalia. MV RAK AFRIKANA has deadweight of 7,561 tonnes and is owned by Rak Afrikana Shipping LTD fromSeychelles. The RAK AFRIKANA has a crew of 26 from India, Pakistan and Tanzania.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast ofSomalia.
Previously, EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft spotted the MV and reported 8 POB (3 of them possible pirates) and several fuel barrels. ITS Scirocco from CTF 508 was heading towards the position to investigate. The RAK AFRIKANA has currently stopped due to engine problems but is now in the afternoon of 12 April heading towards the coast of Somalia. MV RAK AFRIKANA has deadweight of 7,561 tonnes and is owned by Rak Afrikana Shipping LTD fromSeychelles. The RAK AFRIKANA has a crew of 26 from India, Pakistan and Tanzania.
EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation ATALANTA’s main tasks are to escort merchant vessels carrying humanitarian aid of the ‘World Food Program’ (WFP) and vessels of AMISOM, and to protect vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and to deter and disrupt piracy. EUNAVFOR also monitors fishing activity off the coast ofSomalia.