Saudi Supertanker Captured by Pirates Nears Somalia
World | November 18, 2008, Tuesday
The tanker Sirius Star, which was sailing under a Liberian flag, was seized by Somali pirates on 15 November 2008. Photo by BGNES
Pirates who hijacked a Saudi-owned supertanker carrying more than USD 100 million worth of crude oil is approaching Somali waters, the US Navy said.
The tanker is expected to anchor so that negotiations can begin on the release of the vessel and its 25 crew, CNN reported.
The 1,080-foot Sirius Star is the largest ship ever seized by pirates.
"At this time we believe the ship is just off the Somali coast," said Commander Jane Campbell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, stationed in Bahrain.
The hijacking follows a string of increasingly brazen attacks by Somali pirates in recent months.
The tanker is expected to anchor so that negotiations can begin on the release of the vessel and its 25 crew, CNN reported.
The 1,080-foot Sirius Star is the largest ship ever seized by pirates.
"At this time we believe the ship is just off the Somali coast," said Commander Jane Campbell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, stationed in Bahrain.
The hijacking follows a string of increasingly brazen attacks by Somali pirates in recent months.
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