Latest ONI Worldwide Threats to Shipping (to 23 Jul 08)

Latest ONI Worldwide Threats to Shipping (to 23 Jul 08) - highlights:

       3.  GULF OF ADEN: Bulk carrier (STELLA MARIS) hijacked 20 Jul 08 at 0430 local
time/0011 UTC while underway in position 13:16N-050:02E, approximately 87NM northwest of
Caluula, Somalia.  The vessel was enroute Suez when UKMTO Dubai was alerted via
INMARSAT that pirates were onboard, repeated three times before the line went dead.  No
returned calls were answered.  The ships operators were alerted and at the same time a SSAS
message was received by the operators and forwarded to UKMTO.  According to Puntland
presidential advisor Bile Mohamoud Qabowsade, there were 38 heavily armed pirates that
stormed the ship while sailing in international waters.  Hared Ise Umar, the District
Commissioner of Caluula, stated that the hijackers sailed the vessel close to Caluula and
indicated he expected the vessel to sail to Eyl (Operator, UKMTO, IMB, AFP, LM:
hornafrik.com).
.
     4.  GULF OF ADEN:  Container ship reported aggressive skiffs 18 Jul 08 at 0720 UTC while
steaming in position 12:47.5N-051:02E, approximately 48NM north of Caluula, Somalia.  Two,
six meter yellow fiberglass crafts with 5-6 heavily armed men chased the vessel.  The vessel was
traveling at 25knts when it was overtaken by pirates on the port side.  The master estimated the
speed of the pirates at approximately 30knts.  The vessel took evasive maneuvers, raised the
alarm, and the crew prepared fire hoses.  Suspected pirates moved away.  No weapons were
released and the vessel continued its voyage to Singapore (Operator, UKMTO, IMB).