ABDUCTION OF SHIP NEAR PANAMA

New Delhi; December 15, 2009

Rajya Sabha

G. K. Vasan, the Union Shipping Minister, in written reply to a question informed Rajya Sabha today that one vessel, M.V. Al Khaliq, with Panama flag has been hijacked by the pirates with 26 crew members (including 24 Indians) on 22.10.2009 close to the Seychelles Islands about 720 nautical miles East of Mombasa.

Directorate General of Shipping has already held two meetings with the Managers of the vessel (M/s SNP Shipping) on 23.10.2009 and 04.11.2009. As per information received from the Managers, contact has been established with the vessel and the Master has informed that all crew members on board are safe. It has also been informed that negotiations for release of the crew members are in progress.