“Food shortage” pirate negotiating ploy: MISC

By Marcus Hand in Singapore - Monday 22 September 2008

MISC says that Somali pirates are using reports of a shortage of food on two hijacked tankers to undermine negotiations.

Last week Malaysian state newswire Bernama reported that a crewman held hostage onboard the hijacked Bunga Melati 5 had told his family by telephone they received just one cup of “meal” a day from the pirates.

MISC rejected the report and said: “There is no shortage of food and recent reports of food scarcity are merely tactics used by the hijackers to undermine the negotiations.”

“There is ample food supply and fresh drinking water onboard. Food supplies are also being replenished from onshore by the pirates.”

MISC has two vessels the Bunga Melati 2 and Bunga Melati 5 that have been hijacked by Somali pirates. A total of 80 crew are being held hostage.

The Malaysian shipowner said that negotiations for the crew’s release were progressing well.

“Communication with Bunga Melati 2 and MT Bunga Melati 5 are carried out on a daily basis and based on the latest communication, all crew members onboard are safe and are in relatively good condition,” it said.
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