Staff Reporter:
The Bangladesh-flagged vessel, the MV Abdullah, is on its way to Al Hamriyah Port in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, along with its crew members as Somali pirates released the bulk carrier after a month of hijacking.
The vessel of SR Shipping Ltd, a concern of Kabir Group, would reach Dubai by 20 April to unload its cargo of thermal coal, said Shahriar Jahan Rahat, deputy managing director (DMD) of Kabir Steel Re-Rolling Mills (KSRM), also a concern of Kabir Group.
Speaking at a press conference at the KSRM office in Chattogram city on Sunday afternoon, he said, “We considered the safety of the hostage crew members and accordingly discouraged operations by international navies.”
Thanking the prime minister and others concerned for extending all-out support for the swift release of the vessel and the crewmen, Shahriar said there was no lack of security measures in the vessel during the hijacking.
On 12 March, the MV Abdullah was hijacked with 23 Bangladeshi crew members on board by armed Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The bulk carrier was heading to Al Hamriyah Port from Maputo Port in Mozambique, carrying 55,000 tonnes of thermal coal.
The pirates released the vessel and the crewmen in the early hours of Sunday.
At the press conference, SR Shipping Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mehrul Karim said they started proceedings following all international laws for the release of the vessel.
“We collected a video clip to confirm that the crewmen were in good health and then fulfilled the condition of the agreement signed for the release earlier.”
The crew members got emotional when the captain ensured their release after the pirates departed by nine speedboats early Sunday, Mehrul continued.
He also mentioned that the vessel would reach Dubai by 20 April and then, it would take four to five days more to complete some formalities for the crewmen to go to the land.
The vessel is also expected to come to Bangladesh with cargo from Dubai, while the crew members would decide on whether they would return home by air or the vessel, he added.
Meanwhile, the crewmen and their family members expressed joy at the release after 32 days of captivity.
MV Abdullah Chief Officer Atikullah Khan in a Facebook status wrote, “Love you & missing you Bangladesh” attaching a photo of holding a red-green flag.
He wrote, “Alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah, alhamdulillah. Thanks to SR shipping for the unbelievable efforts. Thanks to the friends, family & all well-wishers, who prayed throughout the journey.
“Thanks to Euronavfore Operation At[a]lanta. Thanks to Bangladesh,” he added.
The pictures he uploaded with the post showed a warship from the European Union’s (EU) EUNAVFOR Atalanta next to the MV Abdullah. Another picture showed EU Navy commandos with Bangladeshi crew members on board MV Abdullah.
MV Abdullah Engine Cadet Ayub Khan’s elder brother Aurangajeb Rabbi told the Daily Sun that the owning authority informed them of the matter of release in the early morning.
Later, Ayub also phoned and said they all were fine, he said.
“The news helped us heave a sigh of relief as anxiety gripped us over the last one month,” said Rabbi, expressing gratitude to the owning authority and the government for the prompt step and release of their loved ones.
On 5 December 2010, Somali pirates also seized another vessel, the MV Jahan Moni, which belonged to the same company. After enduring 99 days in captivity, the pirates eventually released the vessel, along with its 25 crew members and the wife of the chief engineer, Matiul Mawla.
The crew members finally returned to Chattogram on 21 March 2011, bringing an end to the agonising uncertainty that had plagued their loved ones for months.
