Somali pirates are negotiating the release of two cargo vessels owned by Ofer Brothers company Zodiac Maritime Agencies. The ships and their crews have been held by the pirates in Somalia since the beginning of the month.
The first ship is a chemicals bulk carrier, the St. James Park, carrying a crew of 26. It was seized in the waters of the Gulf of Aden on its way from Spain to Thailand. The ship put out a distress call on the night of December 28-29, and since then all connection with her has been lost.
The second captured ship is the Asian Glory, a car transporter with a crew of eight, seized at the beginning of the month outside the area safeguarded by EU warships. Both ships sail under the British flag, and there are no Israelis among their crews.
Somali pirates recently released a ship of similar size to the St. James Park after receiving a $4 million ransom. The pirates currently hold at least ten ships and 228 seamen.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 24, 2010
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