Mv-Oriental-Ruby

On Sep 06 2011 Somali pirates released container vessel MSC Panama, a pirate called Abdi told Reuters news agency, that ransom totaling $ 7 million was delivered by air in the morning Sep 6, and vessel is already under way to safety. Somali Report said MSC Panama will be met by a Mombasa based logistic supply vessel, MT Solstar, to assist with her departure from captivity. Predictably, consumer goods from containers on board of MSC Panama were looted, and reported to be seen on regional markets. Whether ransom is $7 mil or less we don’t know, as we have to rely on pirates words only. Well, it can’t be otherwise in these days, all other sources of information, including vessels management and owners, are tight-lipped, thanks to joint efforts of insurers, navies, media and maritime organizations. Ransoms can’t be less than $ 5 mil, or it’s a disgrace to pirates and those who fight them. Pirates said they got $ 7 mil, mark their words and check my statistics, next “reports” of “Oceans beyond piracy” researchers will make this and other sums of ransoms, claimed by pirates and not confirmed by any other sources, official. And journalists are still searching for piracy rulers and supporters! Here they are, open your eyes. Mikhail Voytenko Maritime Bulletin http://www.odin.tc

The 23 Burmese crewmen of the "MSC Panama" have been allowed to contact their families. The vessel was anchored in Somalia south of Ceel Gaan, a fishing village on the central Somali Indian Ocean coast east of the pirate stronghold of Harardhere close to the "Alabedo", a Malaysia-flagged container ship seized on November 26. All said they were in good health and told their families not to worry about them.