Chinese ship to be freed, Somali pirates say

Terra Daily ^ | December 26, 2009

[UAConservative]

Somali pirates holding a Chinese cargo ship and its crew of 25 said Sunday they would release the vessel after collecting a ransom of 3.5 million dollars (2.2 million euros) later in the day.

The bulk carrier Dexinhai, owned by Qingdao Ocean Shipping, was seized on October 18 northeast of the Seychelles as it was sailing to India from South Africa with a cargo of coal.

It was subsequently taken to the Somali coast, between the pirate lairs of Harardere and Hobyo, where it laid at anchor with other captured vessels and negotiations on its fate began.

"We have been discussing with the Chinese ship owners for several weeks and they finally agreed to pay 3.5 million dollars," a leader of the pirates, Mohamed Rage, told AFP by telephone.

"The money will be brought today so that, we will free the ship within today once we get the money," he said, adding that the all-Chinese crew has been treated "humanely".

"The pirates are releasing the cargo today after they get the ransom agreed", a second pirate, Abdi Yare, told AFP by telephone from Harardhere.

Abdi Yasin Dhubane, a fisherman in the Harardhere area, said all pirates with a stake in the Dexinhai were seen boarding it on Saturday -- suggesting that a deal had been concluded.

[UAConservative]

Most likely, the ransom dollars will fund terrorism. See the linked FR post.

Piracy: The Threats and Possible Solutions

[SpaceBar]

I wonder how many times they’ll be allowed to make the Chinese look like chumps before their luck runs out.

[ASA Vet]

Plug this into google map and ask why they still exist?

5.341525,48.532008

[dog breath]

Once they get it anchored I would think any rescue would pretty difficult. Someday the Chinese military is going to catch them on the open seas and they will show no mercy. I don't think the Chinese take humiliation very well and their standing rules of engagement seem to be to do whatever they can get away with. The Chinese know also that the rest of the world won't say a word whatever they do, since we all pretty sick of the pirates.

[TigersEye]

The Somali pirate says that a $3.5 million dollar ransom will be paid. OTH he may have found his MIL's head in his bed and decided that a phony announcement to the press and a quick release of ship and hostages was in order.

[UAConservative]

Two B-52s drop a load of bombs and that place is GONE!