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Somali Pirates Hijack Yet Another Cargo Ship

A Hong Kong ship carrying wheat is the latest victim

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 18, 2008 4:40 PM CST

(Newser) – Pirates off the coast of Africa have struck again, hijacking a Hong Kong cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, the Financial Times reports. The Delight has 25 crew members and 36,000 tons of wheat, and hijackers were reportedly steering it toward Somalia. It's the latest in a string of such hijackings, including one of a Saudi super-tanker now anchored off Somalia's coast.

The Saudi ship also has 25 crew members aboard, along with 2 million barrels of oil. Generally, the hijackers have little interest in the actual cargo and demand ransoms for the safe return of the ship and crew. In all, Somali pirates are holding 16 ships and more than 250 sailors hostage, AFP notes.

Eight Somali pirates sit at the Kenya Ports Authority police station, in Mombasa, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, where they are being held after being handed over to the Kenyan authorities by the Royal Navy.
Eight Somali pirates sit at the Kenya Ports Authority police station, in Mombasa, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2008, where they are being held after being handed over to the Kenyan authorities by the Royal Navy.   (AP Photo)
In this Nov. 12, 2008 photo, a Yemeni-flagged dhow is seen in the Gulf of Aden, before boats launched from the British warship, HMS Cumberland were sent to intercept it on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008.
In this Nov. 12, 2008 photo, a Yemeni-flagged dhow is seen in the Gulf of Aden, before boats launched from the British warship, HMS Cumberland were sent to intercept it on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/MOD/ho)
In this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, pirates holding the hijacked cargo ship Faina conduct resupply operations while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship off the coast of Somalia.
In this photo taken Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008, pirates holding the hijacked cargo ship Faina conduct resupply operations while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship off the coast of Somalia.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Nov 19, 2008 1:23 AM CST
Right, I know that everyone is aware of how dangerous these waterways are, so why would you send a ship into that area without protection?

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