MV Abdullah fate hangs in balance as pirates yet to issue demands

Two days after the Bangladesh-flagged vessel MV Abdullah’s capture, pirates have not yet contacted its owners with any demands.

The owners have initiated contact with a UK company that insured the ship in hopes of bringing back both the hostage sailors and the vessel, but the timeframe for this remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the ship was 72 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia as of 6am on Thursday, with Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association General Secretary Shakhawat Hossain suggesting it might reach Somalia by noon.

He said the pirates might approach the owners after reaching Somalia.

Mizanul Islam, media advisor to Kabir Group, which owns the vessel, said: “The pirates have not contacted us yet. The ship's sailors are safe and sound. 

“According to the latest information we have, the pirates have not harmed the sailors in any way. We are trying to ensure that no harm comes to them. We are leaving no stone unturned for the return of the hostages.”

The official dismissed media reports about ransom demands as rumours. “The pirates have not made any demands so far. They may voice their demands after taking the ship to a zone that is safe for them.”

Mizanul reflected on a similar event in 2010 when another vessel belonging to the same owners fell into the hands of pirates.

"Back then, after 100 days, we managed to safely retrieve both the ship and all crew members. We aim to use our past experience to ensure the safe return of all sailors."

On December 5, 2010, the MV Jahan Moni, owned by the same company, was seized by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. Twenty-six individuals, including a captain's wife, were held captive for 100 days.

They were released on March 14, 2011 and returned home the next day. 

MV Abdullah, with 23 crew members carrying coal, was en route to the UAE from Mozambique when it fell into the hands of pirates in the Indian Ocean on Tuesday.