Somali pirates release UAE-flagged tanker

Ship freed without any ransom payment

July 29, 2011

Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: The UAE-flagged oil tanker MV Jubba XX was released on Wednesday after it was hijacked by Somali pirates on July 16 in the coast of Yemen, announced the National Transportation Authority (NTA).

NTA was also reassured about the safety of the oil tanker's 17 crew members after it was released. As a result of the UAE's good reputation and its strong relations with various countries, the tanker was released without any concessions or ransom payments.

By coordinating with the relevant bodies, NTA tracked the movement of the ship, which was being directed to Somalia by the pirates.

After the ship was hijacked, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Public Works and Chairman of NTA, immediately issued orders to investigate the incident, contact the ship's owners, and ensure the safety of the crew and release of the oil tanker.

Multi-national crew

The tanker is owned by Sharjah-based Jubba General Trading Co and has sailors from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Sudan, Myanmar, Kenya and Somalia.

The MV Jubba XX and its crew were seized on July 16 while carrying 3,500 tonnes of oil products from Umm Al Quwain port.