"While it is wonderful to be here and to be reunited with our families, we remain deeply concerned that seven of our colleagues and friends remain in the hands of the criminal gangs," Ramesh Singh, Captain of the MV Asphalt Venture, said in a statement.
The asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by pirates on its way to South Africa from Kenya, southeast of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania on September 28, 2010. Although these sailors were released two weeks ago, they deferred their return, hoping the rest of the crew would be released.
Despite being paid a multi-million dollar ransom (it's not clear what the final settlement was) for 15 men, the pirates at the last minute had refused to release seven Indian hostages. They said they won't change their minds unless India releases 100 Somalian pirates captured by the navy in recent months
OCTOBER 2014. RELEASE OF THE REMAINING CREW.
MV Asphalt Venture/Panama:
Seven Indian Seafarers who have been held hostage since their ship, the MV Asphalt Venture, was hijacked in the Somali Basin on 28 September 2010 have been released and are safe in Kenya.
The 1991-built, Panamanian flagged , 3884 dwt., general cargo ship “MV Asphalt Venture”, with a crew of 15 was hijacked by Somali pirates on 28 September 2010. In April 2011 the vessel with 8 of her crew was released while the remaining 7 Indian seafarers were detained ashore.
Following lengthy negotiations, the release of these men was arranged after a modest payment was made to cover the logistical and transport costs of the group holding the men.
Preparations are now being made for their return to India in the next few days. Their families have been informed.
Last July a Pirate leader is said to have been seriously injured while one gunman is said to have died during a heavy exchange of gun fire amongst gunmen holding captive seven Indian crew members of the Panama flagged MT ASPHALT VENTURE.
Reports filtering Mombasa mid-last July indicated that fighting erupted amongst pirates holding captive the crew members soon after ransom money amounting to US$ 500,000 was delivered to the gunmen to secure safe release of the hostages.
Initially the Pirates holding captive the seven former crew members of the MT ASPHALT VENTURE were demanding US1 million to release the hostages.
The hostages were held captive in a remote village known as FAA some 20 kilometers from Harardheere.
They were kept hostage by a pirate group under the leadership of Fathi Gacamey.
They were kept hostage by a pirate group under the leadership of Fathi Gacamey.
The Panama flagged MT ASPHALT VENTURE, a 1991 built asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 28th 2010 off Dar es Salaam while under way from Mombasa to Durban Natal, South Africa.
She was released on April 15, 2012 following a ransom payment amounting to US$ 3.5milion.
Despite the owners’ concluding a dialogue with the pirates for the full release of 15 crew and vessel and payment of the ransom, the vessel was released but 6 officers and 1 rating were taken off the tanker and made to accompany the pirates ashore.
Media reports suggested that pirates in Harardheere have taken the decision not to honor the agreement made but to prolong the hostage ordeal of the 7 seafarers in retaliation for the arrest of Somali pirates by the Indian Navy.
There are about 105 suspected Somali pirates arrested by Indian navy undergoing trial in the courts of law of India.
30 seafarers and fishers are still held hostage by Somali pirates, some for more than four and a half years and the others for more than two and half years.
MV Asphalt Venture/Panama:
ReplyDeleteSeven Indian Seafarers who have been held hostage since their ship, the MV Asphalt Venture, was hijacked in the Somali Basin on 28 September 2010 have been released and are safe in Kenya.
The 1991-built, Panamanian flagged , 3884 dwt., general cargo ship “MV Asphalt Venture”, with a crew of 15 was hijacked by Somali pirates on 28 September 2010. In April 2011 the vessel with 8 of her crew was released while the remaining 7 Indian seafarers were detained ashore.
Following lengthy negotiations, the release of these men was arranged after a modest payment was made to cover the logistical and transport costs of the group holding the men.
Preparations are now being made for their return to India in the next few days. Their families have been informed.
Last July a Pirate leader is said to have been seriously injured while one gunman is said to have died during a heavy exchange of gun fire amongst gunmen holding captive seven Indian crew members of the Panama flagged MT ASPHALT VENTURE.
Reports filtering Mombasa mid-last July indicated that fighting erupted amongst pirates holding captive the crew members soon after ransom money amounting to US$ 500,000 was delivered to the gunmen to secure safe release of the hostages.
Initially the Pirates holding captive the seven former crew members of the MT ASPHALT VENTURE were demanding US1 million to release the hostages.
The hostages were held captive in a remote village known as FAA some 20 kilometers from Harardheere.
They were kept hostage by a pirate group under the leadership of Fathi Gacamey.
The Panama flagged MT ASPHALT VENTURE, a 1991 built asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 28th 2010 off Dar es Salaam while under way from Mombasa to Durban Natal, South Africa.
She was released on April 15, 2012 following a ransom payment amounting to US$ 3.5milion.
Despite the owners’ concluding a dialogue with the pirates for the full release of 15 crew and vessel and payment of the ransom, the vessel was released but 6 officers and 1 rating were taken off the tanker and made to accompany the pirates ashore.
Media reports suggested that pirates in Harardheere have taken the decision not to honor the agreement made but to prolong the hostage ordeal of the 7 seafarers in retaliation for the arrest of Somali pirates by the Indian Navy.
There are about 105 suspected Somali pirates arrested by Indian navy undergoing trial in the courts of law of India.
30 seafarers and fishers are still held hostage by Somali pirates, some for more than four and a half years and the others for more than two and half years.