Italian flagged vessel pirated in the Indian Ocean

[News_Editor]

Italian flagged vessel pirated in the Indian Ocean

2011-04-21 21:35:45 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- An Italian flagged merchant vessel on Thursday was pirated in the Indian Ocean, the European Union Naval Force - Somalia (EU NAVFOR) informed.

EU Naval Force spokesman Paddy O'Kennedy said that the bulk carrier MV Rosalia D'Amato was pirated approximately 350 nautical miles (648.2 kilometers) South East of Salalah, the second largest city in Oman.

The Italian flagged and owned vessel was on its way to Bandar Imam Khomeini, Iran from Paranagua, Brazil, when it was attacked by a single skiff carrying a number of pirates.

Coalition warships contacted the Italian bulk carrier and were urged to stay away as pirates were on board. The merchant vessel has a crew of 21 people; 6 of them Italians and the remaining 15 Filipinos.

"There is no further information about the crew at present. EU Naval Force is continuing to monitor the situation," added spokesman O'Kennedy.

The MV Rosalia D'Amato was registered with the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and was reporting to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

According to a recent study, maritime piracy cost the global economy up to $12 billion last year, with Somalia-based pirates responsible for 95 percent of the costs.

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