The Somali pirates who seized MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi vessel, have made contact with the owning company, Kabir Group, to initiate discussions regarding the release of the captured vessel and its crews.

Media Advisor of Kabir Group Mizanul Islam confirmed the matter on Wednesday afternoon.

"They have reached out to us through a third party. We are optimistic that we will commence further discussions shortly," he said.

The pirates established the first contact after eight days of hijacking the vessel with its 23 crew members from the Indian Ocean.

The owning authority, families of the captive crewmembers and others concerned have been anxiously awaiting the phone call that will initiate the negotiation process.

Sector insiders and seasoned seafarers anticipated that the pirates might place their demand on the owner now and consensus of both parties at a level will pave the way for the release of the captured vessel and the crews.

Mentionable, the Bangladeshi-flagged “MV Abdullah” was hijacked with 23 Bangladeshi crew in the Indian Ocean on 11 March, while en route from Maputo Port in Mozambique to Al Hamriyah Port in Dubai, carrying 55,000 tonnes of thermal coal.

On 5 December 2010, Somali pirates seized another vessel, the “MV Jahan Moni,” which belonged to the same company. After enduring 99 days in captivity, the pirates eventually released the vessel, along with its 25 crew members and the wife of the chief engineer, Matiul Mawla.

BDST: 1640 HRS, MAR 20, 2024
MN/SMS