An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged cargo ship has been hijacked by a band of eight pirates in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia, the government of the Caribbean state says.

It is the latest reported seizure of a vessel in the Gulf of Aden by pirates from virtually lawless Somalia, who over the last few years have captured dozens of vessels and hundreds of hostages, making off with millions of dollars in ransoms.

The Antigua and Barbuda Government said the 146-metre Victoria had a crew of 10 and it was believed that it was being taken to the Somalian port of Eyl, a known pirate lair.

The statement gave no more details about the fate of the ship’s crew.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Government said the vessel, which was managed by a company in Germany, had been registered with the European Union anti-piracy flotilla operating in the region and was navigating in the recommended East-West corridor of the Gulf at the time of the hijacking.

The ship’s management company and the International Maritime Organisation had been informed of the seizure.

Despite the presence of warships from several nations in the Gulf of Aden, Somali pirate attacks have continued.

Last month, US Navy commandos shot and killed three pirates to free Richard Phillips, a US ship captain held hostage by the sea raiders.

A fourth suspected pirate was arrested and taken to the United States for trial.

Reuters

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