Staff Reporter:
The Bangladesh-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, which was released by Somali pirates after 32 days of captivity, is currently en route to Al Hamriyah Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The ship is under heightened security measures and is being escorted by two warships of the European Union (EU).
The owning authorities had expected the vessel to reach Dubai on 20 April 20, the authorities on Monday revised the estimated time for arrival of the ship on 22 April. The projection depends upon favorable weather.
Besides, different security measures including putting the razor wire have been taken onboard the ship to ward off any untoward incident further as the ship was crossing through the high-risk area.
On the other hand, Operation ATALANTA, a European Union (EU) Maritime Security operation in the Western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, has confirmed the release of the vessel MV Abdullah.
In an X post on Monday, it also released photos of its two warships escorting MV Abdullah on its way to Dubai.
On its website, it also said ATLANTA was the first actor to respond to the hijacking of the vessel on March 12, when one ATLANTA vessel started shadowing the alleged pirated vessel.
Throughout the 32 days of the captivity of the sailors, Operation ATLANATA has been actively engaged in monitoring the situation.
Earlier 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 reportedly in exchange for ransom of $5 million, reports Reuters.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury has rejected Reuters’ report and said it was not real.
