CEC Future hijackers say crew are safe

Craig Eason - Monday 10 November 2008

THE HIJAKERS of CEC Future, taken in the Gulf of Aden last week, have made preliminary contact according to Clipper Projects, the Danish operators of the vessel. 

The Bahamas registered general cargo vessel was attacked on Friday as it was transiting the Gulf and forced to divert towards the Somalian coastline. 

The company said that all 13 crew members are unharmed and some have been allowed to make calls home to families. 

It said that all the messages have been similar stating all are safe, being treated well and allowed to carry out their duties. 

The company said it is in close communication with the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of crew. 

“Clipper crews are instructed on how to react if a vessel is hijacked,” the company said in a press statement. “It has to be remembered that in the vast majority of hijacking cases the crew will be released unhurt after some time.” 

CEC Future is the latest in a number of incidents involving vessels with links to Denmark. 

The Danish Shipowner’s Association has been pushing for increased military presence in the Gulf of Aden to reduce the number of attacks. 

“It is clear for us we have to address this as a trade issue, not just a shipping issue,” said Jens Fritz Hansen. 

“We need to explain to society that this influences the things we find in the shops as it passes through these trade lanes.” 

The Danish navy has sent one vessel, Absalon, to patrol the region as part of a coalition of between five and ten vessels. However Mr Fritz Hansen said this is clearly not enough. 

“We need more ships down there, about ten more vessels, some of them with helicopters to make it easier to patrol,” he said, quoting Danish military experts onboard Absalon. 

He also believes the vessels in the regional task force should have a ‘sharper anti piracy brief’ rather than other military duties, adding that the use of private security services is not the answer. 

“This will not solve the problem, that needs to be done ashore, but we can make the process of hijacking less attractive,” he said urging other European countries to send naval vessels to the region. 

According to The US Office of Naval Intelligence and the International Maritime Bureau there have now been 23 attempted boardings reported over the month, with ten vessels now being held. 

An assessment of recent attacks from the Office of Naval has revealed that vessels transiting the region during daylight hours and at speeds below 14 knots were more prone to attack. It recommends that vessels proceed at maximum speed, as far to the East of the Gulf of Aden as possible and during hours of darkness 

The escalation in attacks has led to some ship owners rerouting their vessels round the Cape rather than Suez Canal and the Horn of Africa. 

Svitzer Salvage and an unnamed bulk operator are said to be avoiding the region.

 

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