List of ships attacked by Somali pirates

General area off the coast of Somalia where the pirates operate

Piracy off the Somali coast has threatened international shipping since the beginning of Somalia's civil war in the early 1990s. Since 2005, though, pirates have threatened and seized many ships. A list of ships attacked by Somali pirates since that time is catalogued. Since 2005, many international organizations, including the International Maritime Organization and the World Food Programme, have expressed concern over the rise in acts of piracy. Piracy has contributed to a rise in shipping costs and shipping insurance premiums, and impeded the delivery of food aid shipments.

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on November 20, 2008, proposed by Britain, introducing tougher sanctions against Somalia over the country's failure to prevent a surge in sea piracy. The Somali government is struggling for control of the country against an Islamic insurgency and its navy is currently in development, leaving it almost powerless to stop piracy.

List of ships captured or attacked off the Somali coast

For more details see: * ECOTERRA Intl. Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor - SMCM updates at: [1]

2005

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Hong Kong	MV Feisty Gas (LNG carrier)	12 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2005-04-10	unknown
					not known	US$315,000
The MV Feisty Gas, a liquefied petroleum gas tanker, was seized by Somali pirates. A Hong Kong-based company that owns the vessel reportedly paid $315,000 to a representative of the Somali pirates in Mombasa, Kenya, according to a recent UN report.
	Liberia (Ukraine)	MV Panagia (bulk carrier)	22 all ukrainian (coal)	Released after ransom	2005-10-18	unknown
					2005-11-25	US$700,000
The MV Panagia, a 22,046 GRT bulk carrier with coal from South Africa to Turkey, was seized by Somali pirates on 90 nautical miles (170 km)off the east coast. A Ukrainian-based company that owns the vessel reportedly paid $700,000 to a representative of the Somali pirates in Mombasa, Kenya.
	Bahamas (United States)	MV Seabourn Spirit (cruise ship)	210 (Passengers)	Capture failed	2005-11-05	unknown
					Capture failed	none
The MV Seabourn Spirit, a luxury cruise liner carrying 210 crew members and passengers, was attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Riding in two small speedboats, the pirates fired at the ship with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, but the crew drove them off with a water hose and a long range acoustic device.

2006

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	India	MV Safina al-Birsarat (dhow)	16 (coal)	Released	2006-01-16	unknown
					2006-01-22	none
Pirates hijacked the India-registered MV Safina al-Birsarat along with its crew of 16 Indians. On January 22, the USS Winston S. Churchill, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, intercepted the vessel. After warning shots were fired, the pirates surrendered and all ten onboard were taken into custody. The ten were transported to Mombasa, Kenya where they were sentenced to seven years in prison by a court.
	United States	USS Cape St. George (CG-71) (Ticonderoga-class cruiser) USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) (Arleigh Burke-class destroyer)	unknown (none)	Capture failed	2006-03-18	unknown
					Capture failed	none
The USS Cape St. George, a Ticonderoga-class cruiser, and the USS Gonzalez, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, engaged pirate vessels after receiving fire from them.

2007

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	MV Rozen ()	12 (UN food aid)	Released	2007-02-25	11°50′0″N 51°35′0″E
					2007-04-05	unknown
Somali pirates with automatic weapons captured the ship, carrying 6 Kenyans and 6 Sri Lankans. On February 27, members of the Somali coast guard attempted to take back the ship but failed, and 2 coast guardsmen were killed.
	Taiwan	FV Ching Fong Hwa 168 (fishing vessel)	15 (fish)	Released (one hostage killed)	2007-04-28	unknown
					2007-11-05	US$1,500,000
The Taiwanese fishing vessel was hijacked on May 28, 2007. The surviving crew of 10 Chinese, two Taiwanese and two Filipino crew members was released on November 5 after spending more than six months in captivity. One Chinese crew member was killed by the pirates on May 28 because the ship's owners failed to meet their ransom demands.
	Tanzania (South Korea)	FV Mavuno No. 1 (fishing vessel) FV Mavuno No. 2 (fishing vessel)	25 (Fishing equipment)	unknown	2007-05-15	1°10′0″N 49°0′0″E
					2007-11-00	none
Two Tanzanian registered ships belong to Korea's Daechang Fishing were seized about 210 nautical miles (about 389 km) off the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Their 25 crew members (including 10 Chinese, four South Koreans, three Vietnamese, four Indonesians and four Indians) were released six months later.
	Denmark	MV Danica White (cargo ship)	5 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2007-06-01	unknown
					2007-08-23	US$1,500,000
The Danish-owned cargo ship the MV Danica White was hijacked and maneuvered into Somali waters. On June 3, the USS Carter Hall, a Harpers Ferry-class landing ship dock engaged the pirates, firing machine-gun bursts at the skiffs in tow behind the Danish ship, but failed to stop them. Following 83 days in captivity, the crew of five and the ship were released after the owner, H. Folmer & Co, paid a ransom of 1.5 million United States dollars.
	Greece	FV Grecko 2 (fishing boat)	4+ (unknown)	unknown	2007-09-20	unknown
					not known	unknown
FV Greko 2 was hijacked 110 nautical miles (200 km) west of Berbera. Vessel was anchored near Raas Shula, all crew removed from vessel.
	Panama (Japan)	MV Golden Nori (chemical tanker)	12 (78,884 barrels)	Released after ransom	2007-10-28	13°5′0″N 50°24′0″E
					2007-12-12	US$1,000,000
A Japanese chemical tanker, the MV Golden Nori was hijacked off the coast of Somalia. The destroyer USS Porter, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, sank the skiffs used by the pirates, but they still controlled the tanker. US and German naval vessels shadowed the captured vessel and blockaded the port of Bosaso, where the captured tanker was taken. Eventually, after demanding a ransom, the pirates freed the ship and its crew of 21 on December 12.
	Comoros	MV Al Marjan (General cargo ship)	(2,500 tons of general cargo)	Released after ransom	2007-10-27	unknown
					2007-12-02	unknown
The MV Al Marjan, owned by Biyat International, was travelling to Mombasa from Dubai when pirates hijacked it 10-20 Nm from Mogadishu.
	North Korea	MV Dai Hong Dan (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Crew regained control	2007-10-29	2°11′57″N 45°47′55″E
					2007-10-30	none
Pirates attacked the North Korean cargo the MV Dai Hong Dan and captured its bridge, while the crew managed to retain control of the steering and engineering spaces. On October 30, the crew regained control of their ship, killing one pirate and capturing six. Three sailors were injured in the fight, and received medical assistance from US Navy medics from the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS James E. Williams.

2008

January-March

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Russia (Denmark)	MV Svitzer Korsakov (tugboat)	6 (none)	Released after ransom	2008-02-01	unknown
					2008-03-18	US$700,000
Pirates captured the Danish-owned Russian tugboat the MV Svitzer Korsakov. The ship was held near the town of Eyl in Puntland, until it was released along with its crew of six, on March 18, in exchange for a ransom of 700,000 dollars.

April-June

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	France	MY Le Ponant (luxury yacht)	30 (none)	Rescued after ransom	2008-04-04	13°12′00″N 050°14′00″E
					2008-04-12	unknown
The MY Le Ponant was seized in the Gulf of Aden. The French-owned luxury yacht had no passengers on board, but there were 30 crew members: one Cameroonian, six Filipinos, 22 French, and one Ukrainian. The FS Commandant Bouan, a French D'Estienne d'Orves-class aviso, and the HMCS Charlottetown, a Canadian Halifax-class frigate, were dispatched to the yacht. On April 12 the crew and the ship were released, apparently after the owner, CMA CGM, paid a ransom. After the crew was released, French soldiers tracked the pirates, who were then on land. According to the French military a sniper in a helicopter disabled the engine of a car transporting the pirates, while another helicopter landed and captured six pirates and recovered some ransom money. On April 13 the six appeared in a French court in Paris and were charged with, among other things, hostage-taking, hijacking, and theft.
	Spain	FV Playa de Bakio (fishing vessel)	26 (none)	Released after ransom	2008-04-20	00°06′14″S 049°08′33″E
					2008-04-26	Euro770,000
The FV Playa de Bakio was hijacked about 217 nautical miles (250 mi; 400 km) off the Somali coast at 0°6′24″S 49°8′56″E. The vessel is a Basque, Spanish-registered, tuna fishing boat. According to reports, four pirates seized the vessel and its crew of 26, made up of 13 Africans and 13 Spaniards. The boat was slightly damaged in the attack and was anchored off southeast Puntland by the hijackers. The Spanish government dispatched the Álvaro de Bazán-class frigate the SPS Méndez Núñez to the area, and put a team of combat divers on alert, but claimed to be seeking a diplomatic solution. The vessel moved along the coast as local officials sent security forces to chase away the pirates. On April 26 the ship and its crew were freed and the SPS Méndez Núñez escorted the ship to safety. The Spaniards arrived in Spain on April 30 from the Seychelles, where the African members of the crew remained. It is alleged that a 1.2 million-United States dollar ransom was paid, which the Spanish government denies paying. It is possible that the owner of the ship paid a ransom.
	United Arab Emirates	MV Al-Khaleej (unknown)	16 (unknown)	Rescued	2008-04-21	unknown
					2008-04-22	unknown
The MV Al-Khaleej, a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo ship was seized, along with its 16-member Pakistani crew, by pirates off the coast of Bosaso. The next day, Puntland security forces stormed the ship, capturing seven of the hijackers, killing one, and freeing the ship and its crew. On April 30, a Puntland court sentenced the seven, as well as four collaborators detained after the raid, to life in prison.
	Jordan (United Arab Emirates)	MV Victoria (unknown)	12 (unknown)	Released	2008-05-17	02°13′11″N 046°49′22″E
					2008-05-23	unknown
The MV Victoria, a Jordanian-flagged vessel owned by an Emirati company was hijacked 30 nautical miles (35 mi; 56 km) off the Somali coast at 2°13′19″N 46°49′38″E. The ship was travelling to the Somali capital of Mogadishu and had a crew of 12 from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Tanzania. On May 23 the ship was released on unspecified terms and continued on its course to Mogadishu, accompanied by Somali soldiers on board. Also on the 23rd, after the release of the ship, Islamic militants attacked pirates in Hobyo, apparently in response for the hijacking. According to an Islamist leader, four pirates and two militants were killed in the attack and six pirates were captured.
	Antigua and Barbuda (Netherlands)	MV Amiya Scan (unknown)	9 (damaged oil platform)	Released	2008-05-24	13°16′22″N 050°49′47″E
					2008-06-24	none
The MV Amiya Scan, a Dutch vessel manned by four Russians and five Filipinos was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. The ship flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and is owned by the Dutch company Reider Shipping. It left the Kenyan port of Mombasa on May 19 and was headed to the Romanian port of Constanţa . The ship was transporting a damaged oil platform. The vessel was released on June 24 and sailed out of the port of Eyl. Once far enough from the coast, the ship transmitted a mayday signal, as two crew members were ill and the ship had no supplies. The FGS Emden, a German Bremen-class frigate responded to the mayday call with medical aid and supplies. The ship was further aided by a ship that Reider Shipping had contracted to assist it.
	Germany	MV Lehmann Timber (cargo ship)	15 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-05-28	13°10′11″N 048°58′46″E
					2008-07-08	US$750,000
The MV Lehmann Timber, a German dry cargo ship, was captured on its maiden trip in the Gulf of Aden. The crew of 9 Burmese, 4 Ukrainians, 1 Russian and 1 Estonian were taken captive. The ship was released 41 days later, on July 8, after a ransom of US$750,000 was delivered to the pirates near the town of Eyl. After the release, USS Momsen provided supplies and support to the vessel, as an engine failure caused it to drift for 5 days in heavy storm, until it was tugged to Salalah in Oman for July 21.
	unknown	unknown	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-06-03	unknown
					Capture failed	none
One of Canada's Sea King helicopters, embarked in HMCS Calgary, intervened in an ongoing piracy attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Gulf of Aden, approximately 65 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. The Calgary, one of three Canadian warships currently assigned to Operation ALTAIR, Canada's maritime contribution to the campaign against terrorism, was operating in the area when a broken call for assistance was heard from a vessel apparently under attack by small arms fire. Calgary immediately altered course and increased speed to close the scene. Her airborne Sea King was promptly redirected towards the area and tasked to gather information on the situation. The helicopter's arrival in the vicinity of the attack did not go unnoticed by the perpetrators. Two small boats, commonly referred to as skiffs, were observed in the area and appeared to be armed. "I am convinced that the presence of our aircraft drove them away from the traffic lanes and prevented any further attack today on merchant shipping in the area," said Commander Kelly Larkin, commanding officer of the multi-purpose frigate. "We continued to monitor those two skiffs and their crew as they were heading back towards Somalia territorial waters."

July-August

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama (Japan)	MV Stella Maris (bulk carrier)	21 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-07-20	13°16′59″N 050°03′28″E
					2008-09-26	US$2,000,000
Pirates seized the MV Stella Maris, a Japanese bulk carrier, flying the flag of Panama along with its 21 crew members. The ship was released along with its crew on September 26 after a ransom of US$2 million was paid.
	Singapore	MV Gem of Kilakarai (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-08-08	13°12′00″N 049°56′00″E
					Capture failed	none
The Singaporean cargo ship, the MV Gem of Kilakarai, is attacked by pirates in two vessels who fired grenades at it, but the attack was thwarted by the arrival of helicopters from the USS Peleliu.
	Thailand	MV Thor Star (cargo ship)	28 (plywood)	Released after ransom	2008-08-12	13°38′48″N 049°45′8″E
					2008-10-00	unknown
The MV Thor Star, a Thai cargo ship with a 28-member crew was seized when it was delivering plywood to Aden, Yemen. It was released in October after a ransom was paid.
	Nigeria	MV Yenegoa Ocean (tug boat)	unknown (none)	Released	2008-08-12	unknown
					2009-06-06	unknown
The Nigerian tug boat the MT Yenegoa Ocean is hijacked.
	Malaysia	MV Bunga Melati Dua (oil tanker)	39 (32,000 tonnes of crude palm oil)	Released after ransom	2008-08-19	12°46′24″N 47°55′28″E
					2008-09-29	US$2,000,000
The MV Bunga Melati Dua, a Malaysian palm oil tanker owned by MISC Berhad, and its crew of 29 Malaysians and ten Filipinos was hijacked by pirates in two speedboats. One Filipino crew member was killed during the boarding.
	Antigua and Barbuda (Germany)	MV BBC Trinidad (unknown)	13 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-08-21	12°57′9″N 48°56′7″E
					2008-09-11	US$1,100,000
The German-owned, Antigua and Barbuda-flagged MV BBC Trinidad was hijacked. It is released on September 11, along with its 13-person crew consisting of a Slovakian captain, ten Filipinos, and two Russians, after a ransom of US$1.1 million is paid. Ship was held near the town of Eyl.
	Japan	MV Irene (unknown)	19 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-08-21	14°26′42″N 49°56′46″E
					2008-09-00	US$1,500,000
The MV Irene, a Japanese-owned with a crew of one Serb, two Croatians and 16 Filipinos was seized. It was released around the same time as the MV BBC Trinidad, after a ransom of US$1.5 million was paid. The ship was held near the town of Eyl.
	Iran	MV Iran Deyanat (unknown)	29 (mined minerals)	Released	2008-08-21	13°49′3″N 50°23′9″E
					Released	unknown
The MV Iran Deyanat was hijacked and brought to Eyl. The Iranian-owned ship and its crew of 14 Iranians, three Indians, two Filipinos, and 10 Eastern Europeans, possibly Croatian, is being held for ransom. Pirates have suffered health problems including hair loss and even death, suggesting that could be carrying chemical munitions or radioactive materials.
	Malaysia	MV Bunga Melati 5 (chemical tanker)	41 (30,000 tonnes of petrochemicals)	Released after ransom	2008-08-25	13°12′00″N 46°37′00″E
					2008-09-27	US$2,000,000
The MV Bunga Melati 5, a Malaysian tanker owned by MISC Berhad was captured while transporting petrochemicals from Singapore to Saudi Arabia. The vessel and crew of its 36 Malaysians and five Filipinos is released on September 27 after a ransom of US$2 million is paid.

September

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	France	Carré d'As IV (yacht)	2 (none)	Rescued	2008-09-02	11°48′41″N 50°32′00″E
					2008-09-16	€1,000,000
The Carré d'As IV, a 50-foot yacht, was hijacked and its two occupants, a French couple, were taken captive. The pirates demanded a million euros in ransom, and the liberation of six Somalis captured during the Le Ponant incident. On September 16, French commando frogmen from the Commando Hubert unit, operating from the frigate Courbet, stormed the yacht as it was being taken to Eyl. The two captives were freed, while one pirate was killed and six captured.
	Panama (Egypt)	MV Al Mansourah (cargo ship)	25 (unknown)	Released	2008-09-03	14°27′00″N 049°40′00″E
					2008-09-26	unknown
Twelve pirates armed with automatic rifles and RPGs in a small high speed craft attacked, boarded and hijacked the ship along with 25 crewmembers. They stole crew's personal belongings and cash. The ship was ultimately released on 26 September 2009, and it was last reported that the ship was back in international waters on route to Egypt. It is not clear if a ransom was paid, but it appears that the pirates had requested a ransom in the negotiations with the Egyptian intelligence officials.
	South Korea	MV Bright Ruby (bulk carrier)	21 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-09-10	13°09′03″N 047°57′00″E
					2008-10-16	unknown
Pirates boarded and hijacked the 26,589 dwt ship underway and 21 crewmembers, 14 Burmese and 8 Koreans, were held hostage. The ship was released on 16 October 2008 after a ransom was paid by the owner, J&J Trust.
	Hong Kong (Japan)	MT Stolt Valor (chemical tanker)	22 (23,818 tonnes of base oils and chemicals)	Released after ransom	2008-09-15	13°34′54″N 049°09′45″E
					2008-11-16	Between US$1-2.5 million
The MT Stolt Valor, a Japanese-owned, Hong Kong-flagged ship carrying 23,818 tonnes of oil products on delivery to Asia was seized by pirates. The captain and his men were unharmed. After two months of ransom negotiations in Hong Kong, the ship and 22 crew members from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Russia were released.
	Denmark ([[|]])	MV Torm Freya (tanker)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-09-18	06°40′00″S 039°35′00″E
					Capture failed	none
Six pirates boarded the tanker drifting. They broke forward store and stole ship's stores. Alarm raised and crew mustered. Pirates jumped overboard and escaped in a waiting small craft.
	Malta (Greece)	MV Centauri (bulk carrier)	25 (17,000 tons of salt)	Released	2008-09-18	02°22′22″N 050°55′15″E
					2008-11-27	unknown
Armed with rocket launchers, 5 pirates in 3 speedboats boarded and hijacked the MV Centauri on September 18. All 25 crew members are Filipino.
	Bahamas (Greece)	MV Captain Stephanos (freighter)	19 (coal)	Released	2008-09-21	02°30′00″N 051°59′30″E
					2008-12-08	unknown
The MV Captain Stephanos, owned by Chart World Shipping Corporation, has a crew of 17 Filipinos, 1 Chinese, and 1 Ukrainian. 4 machine-gun wielding pirates captured the ship on September 21, 2008 while it was transporting coal.
	Belize (Ukraine)	MV Faina (cargo ship)	21 (33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, weapons, ammunition)	Released after ransom	2008-09-25	02°10′00″N 050°40′00″E
					2009-02-05	US$3,200,000
The MV Faina, a Ukrainian-owned, Belize-flagged ship carrying 33 T-72 tanks on delivery to Kenya was seized by pirates. The captain had reported that he had been surrounded by three boats. The frigate Neustrashimy of Russia's Baltic Fleet and the USS Howard have been dispatched to Somalia's coast. The pirates had initially demanded US$35,000,000 for Faina's release, but they have lowered their demand to US$20,000,000, US$8,000,000, US$5,000,000, and US$3,500,000 in the months that the ship has been held hostage. After 5 months of being held hostage the ship and crew of the MV Faina were released after a ransom of US$3,200,000 was paid. The ship was released on 5 February 2009 and her remaining crew of 20 were reported by the Ukrainian presidency as being healthy and safe.
	Liberia (Greece)	MV Genius (chemical tanker)	19 (unknown)	Released	2008-09-27	13°32′13″N 048°36′21″E
					2008-11-22	unknown
The 6,765 dwt MV Genius was headed to the United Arab Emirates from Romania when it was captured with 19 crewmembers aboard. The ship is owned by Mare Maritime Co. SA., and was released on November 22. Despite reports that the board was released after a ransom payment a Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine and Island Policy spokesman failed to confirm or deny the news saying that "We know nothing about it."

October-December

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama (unknown)	MV Wail (freighter)	11 (cement)	Rescued	2008-10-09	unknown
					2008-10-14	none
The MV Wail had a crew of 9 Syrians and 2 Somalis when it was captured transporting cement from Oman to Bosaso, Somalia. On October 12, 2008, Somali security forces engaged in a shoot-out with the pirates, resulting in a death of a pirate and of a Somali soldier. The security forces also captured two pirate speedboats. Two days later, Somali forces liberated the ship, and 10 hijackers were arrested.
	Panama (Greece)	MV Action (chemical tanker)	20 (unknown)	Released	2008-10-10	unknown
					2008-12-12	unknown
A chemical tanker with a crew of 20, initially reported to be a Greek ship flying under a Panamanian flag, was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden. Greek authorities did not confirm affiliation with the ship. Three crew members died due to unknown circumstances while the ship was in the hands of the pirates.
	Panama (South Korea)	MT African Sanderling (bulk carrier)	21 (unknown)	Released	2008-10-15	unknown
					2009-01-13	US$2,000,000
The 58,980 dwt MT African Sanderling carrying a crew of 21 Filipinos and unknown cargo was hijacked. This ship was released on 13 January 2009.".
	Marshall Islands (Turkey)	MV Yasa Neslihan (bulk carrier)	20 (iron ore)	Released	2008-10-29	unknown
					2009-01-06	unknown
The Turkish ship MV Yasa Neslihan was hijacked. The vessel with a crew of 20 was carrying iron ore from Canada to China. The ship's owning company, Yasa Holding, was alerted by an on-board alarm system. Turkish authorities sought help to rescue the ship, but were unable to make contact with the pirates. On 06 January 2008 the ship was released, Andrew Mwangura, East Africa's Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program said "Gunmen have released one of the three Turkish ships. The vessel was released on Tuesday and I'm not sure whether ransom was paid".
	Bahamas (Denmark)	MV CEC Future (unknown)	13 (unknown)	Released	2008-11-07	unknown
					2009-01-15	US$ 1 - 2,000,000
The Danish-owned, Bahamas-registered ship MV CEC Future carrying unknown cargo was seized with 13 crew members, consisting of 11 Russians, 1 Georgian, and 1 Lithuanian. The ship was released on 15 January 2009 after the owners, Danish shipping company Clipper Group, airdropped a ransom of 1.7 million US dollars.
	Philippines (Panama)	MV Stolt Strength (chemical tanker)	23 (phosphoric acid)	released	2008-11-10	unknown
					released	unknown
The Filipino chemical tanker MV Stolt Strength, carrying phosphoric acid, is hijacked with 23 crew members On April 21, 2009, the ship and crew were released.. The Stolt may have been used as a "mothership" in the interim.
	India	MV Jag Arnav (bulk carrier)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-11-11	unknown
					Capture failed	none
MV Jag Arnav, 38,265-tonne bulk carrier owned by Mumbai-based Great Eastern Shipping Company, raised an alarm when pirates tried to board the ship. Indian Navy's INS Tabar (F44), which about 25 nautical miles away at the time of the distress call, rushed a Chetak helicopter carrying a team of MARCOS to the scene and successfully thwarted the hijack attempt. The incident took place 60 nautical miles from Aden.
	Saudi Arabia	MV Timaha (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-11-11	unknown
					Capture failed	none
The Indian Navy's INS Tabar (F44) foiled an attempt by pirates to a board MV Timaha, a Saudi Arabia registered cargo ship. This was the second attack the Indian Navy foiled in a single day.
	Denmark	MV Powerful (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-11-11	unknown
					Capture failed	none
The MV Powerful, a Danish-registered cargo ship, was attacked by pirates onboard a dhow. Russia has claimed that the pirates tried twice to seize the vessel, but they were rebuffed by Russian and British helicopters, though Russian involvement has been disputed by the Royal Navy. The dhow was later detected by HMS Cumberland, and its unit of Royal Marines was dispatched in rigid-raider craft to try and stop the dhow. Whilst circling the dhow, the Marines were fired upon by the pirates. The Marines returned fire, killing two pirates, and forcing the remaining crew to surrender. The dhow was then boarded and captured by the Marines. A Yemini male was found onboard, and he later died from his injuries; the British Ministry of Defence reported that it was unsure whether the injuries were caused during the gunfight, or beforehand.
	Turkey	MV Karagöl (oil/chemical tanker)	14 (4,500 tons of unspecified chemicals)	Released (possibly ransomed), 13 January 2009	2008-11-12	unknown
					Released (possibly ransomed), 13 January 2009	unknown
The Turkish ship Karagöl owned by the Istanbul-based Turkish shipping company YDC Denizcilik A.Ş was hijacked off the coast of Yemen with 14 crew members aboard. Notably the second Turkish vessel to be hijacked in a matter of two weeks, the ship is reported to be carrying 4,500 tons of unspecified chemicals, en route to Mumbai. Despite no official word on the nationality of the hijackers has been released, the Turkish media response was towards pirates of Somalian identity. The vessel was subsequently released, possibly as a result of a ransom payment, on 13 January 2009.
	China	FV Tianyu No. 8 (fishing vessel)	unknown (unknown)	Released	2008-11-14	unknown
					2009-02-08	unknown
The Chinese fishing vessel Tianyu No. 8 or Tanyo 8 was seized by Somali pirates while fishing off the coast of Kenya. The ship was released on 8 February 2009 with 24 crew members safely on board.
	unknown	unknown (chemical tanker)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-11-14	unknown
					Capture failed	none
The British private security service Anti-Piracy Maritime Security Solutions claimed to have repulsed an attack on an unidentified chemical tanker using water hoses and a magneto-acoustic device.
	Panama (Japan)	MV Chemstar Venus (oil/chemical tanker)	23 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2008-11-15	unknown
					2009-02-12	unknown
The crew of the 19,455 dwt MV Chemstar Venus consists of 18 Filipinos and 5 South Koreans. The ship was travelling from Indonesia to Ukraine when it was hijacked. The ship was released on 12 February 2009 after a ransom was paid via a tug boat.
	Liberia (Saudi Arabia)	MV Sirius Star (oil tanker)	25 (2,000,000 barrels (320,000 m3) of crude oil)	Released after ransom	2008-11-15	4°41′0″S 48°43′0″E
					Released after ransom	US$15,000,000
The Liberian-flagged ship MV Sirius Star owned by the Saudi oil company Aramco, was hijacked 450 nautical miles southeast of Mombasa, Kenya with 25 crew members aboard. The 330-meter (1080 foot) vessel was carrying crude oil valued at US$100 million. At the time this was the farthest Somali pirates have travelled to hijack a ship, and took place far south of the "Maritime Security Patrol Area" patrolled by international warships in the Gulf of Aden. Sirius Star's captors threatened that the ship would face "disastrous" consequences if a US$25,000,000 ransom was not paid, though they have agreed to accept US$15,000,000 to release the ship. January 11, 2009. The body of a Somali pirate who drowned just after receiving a huge ransom washed onshore with $153,000 in cash, a resident said Sunday, as the spokesman for another group of pirates promised to soon free a Ukrainian arms ship. Five pirates drowned Friday when their small boat capsized after they received a reported $3 million ransom for releasing a Saudi oil tanker. Local resident Omar Abdi Hassan said one of the bodies had been found on a beach near the coastal town of Haradhere and relatives were searching for the other four.
	Hong Kong (Iran)	MV Delight (bulk carrier)	25 (36,000 tons of wheat)	Released	2008-11-18	14°23′0″N 51°5′0″E
					2009-01-10	unknown
The Hong Kong-registered but Iranian run cargo ship MV Delight carrying 36,000 tons of wheat is hijacked near Yemen coast in Gulf of Aden along with 25 crew members. The vessel was carrying 7 Indians, and sailors from Iran, the Philippines, Pakistan and Guyana. This ship was released on 10 January 2009.
	Kiribati (Thailand)	FV Ekawat Nava 5 (fishing vessel)	16 (fishing equipment)	Destroyed	2008-11-18	unknown
					Destroyed	none
A suspected pirate "mothership" which turned out to be the Kiribati-flagged Thai-owned FV Ekawat Nava 5 with a crew of 15 Thais and 1 Cambodian that was transporting fishing equipment from Oman to Yemen. The ship was apparently in the process of being hijacked when the pirates threatened and then fired upon Indian naval vessel. The INS Tabar (F44) fired back in self-defence, destroying the ship. One sailor was confirmed dead, while another survived; the fate of the 14 others on the ship are not known. The surviving sailor reportedly told the owner of the FV Ekawat Nava 5, Sirichai Fisheries, how the events unfolded.
	Yemen	MV Adina/MV Amani /MV Arena/MV Erina (cargo ship)	7 (570 tonnes of steel)	Released without ransom	2008-11-19	unknown
					2008-12-03	US$2,000,000
Owned by Abu Talal, the MV Adina, also reported as the MV Amani, MV Arena or MV Erina, had a crew of 3 Somalis, 2 Yemenis and 2 Panamanians when it was captured. The ship was transporting a cargo of steel from Al Mukalla to Socotra. Security forces in Puntland, Somalia said they would storm the ship. Ali Abdi Aware, a minister in Puntland, said, "We will release the hijacked Yemen ship forcibly if they do not release it without a ransom because we have good relations with Yemen...Now we are preparing our troops." Following negotiation with the Somali leaders, the pirates released the ship without receiving payment of the $2 million ransom that they had demanded.
	Liberia (Marshall Islands)	MV Biscaglia (chemical tanker)	27 (Palm oil)	Released	2008-11-28	unknown
					2009-01-24	unknown
The ship is managed by Singapore-based Ishima, but is owned by a shipping company based out of the Marshall Islands. The MV Biscaglia came under heavy fire from pirates early on November 28. The vessel then called for assistance from near by NATO forces. There were 3 ex-British service members hired as security on board the vessel, and they fought for sometime using non lethal tactics against the pirates. Despite the resistance put up by the small security force, the pirates overpowered the men, and to escape the pirates they jumped into the water. But even after they jumped off the ship, the pirates kept firing at the men and turned the ship to try and run over the men. The trio were rescued by a French helicopter launched from a frigate that was part of the NATO forces, and then flown to a French vessel. The ship was released on January 24, with the remaining crew reported as being in good health.
	Bahamas (Germany)	MS Astor (cruise ship)	300 (492 passengers)	Capture failed	2008-11-28	unknown
					Capture failed	none
Transocean Tours' cruise ship was approached by two pirate speedboats while on the Gulf of Oman, en-route from Sharm-al-Sheikh to Dubai, but the pirate boats were chased off by the German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
	Marshall Islands (United States)	MS Nautica (cruise ship)	386 (684 passengers)	Capture failed	2008-11-30	unknown
					Capture failed	none
Oceania Cruises' premium cruise ship attacked by two skiffs hiding amongst fishing vessels while traversing the Maritime Safety Protection Area on the Gulf of Aden. The Nautica was able to escape with passengers and crew uninjured, despite eight shots that were fired on the ship by the pirates.
	Portugal (Cyprus)	MS Athena (cruise ship)	unknown (unknown)	Not captured	2008-12-03	12°59′29″N 47°41′33″E
					Not captured	unknown
On 3 December 2008, Athena was attacked in the Gulf of Aden by up to 29 pirate boats. Water cannon were used to repel the pirates and the ship was not boarded.
	Ethiopia	MV Gibe (cargo ship)	25 (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-12-13	13°32′36″N 48°37′30″E
					Capture failed	none
On December 13, 2008, INS Mysore, (a Delhi-class destroyer of the Indian Navy) captured 23 sea pirates along with arms and ammunition when the pirates were trying to capture MV Gibe, a ship sailing under the Ethiopian flag.
	[[|]] (Malaysia)	MV Masindra 7 (tugboat)	11 (unknown)	Released after Ransom	2008-12-16	13°54′0″N 49°39′0″E
					2009-08-01	unknown
Pirates hijacked a Malaysian tugboat used by French oil company Total off Yemen. The tugboat also has a submerged barge attached to it known as ADM1, and one of the generators on the tugboat is defective causing a number of issues for the captured crew.
	Antigua and Barbuda (Turkey)	MV Bosphorus Prodigy (cargo ship)	11 (unknown)	Released	2008-12-16	13°20′49″N 47°57′38″E
					2009-02-02	unknown
A 100-metre cargo ship belonging to an Istanbul-based shipping company had also been hijacked. The ship and crew were released on 2 February 2009 after a seven week captivity.
	China	MV Zhenhua 4 (cargo ship)	30 (unknown)	Capture failed	2008-12-17	14°28′0″N 51°36′0″E
					Capture failed	none
A Chinese fishing boat owned by China Communications Construction was hijacked on the way back to Shanghai, but deterred as crews radioed for help. The 30 crew members fought for four hours after nine pirates armed with rocket launchers and heavy machine guns boarded the ship. A Malaysian warship, Sri Indera Sakti and Malaysian military helicopter arrived and fired on the pirates, who fled the scene. No crew members were injured. The crew used water cannons, molotov cocktails and beer bottles to defend against the pirates, whom were fully armed.

2009

January

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama ([[|]])	S Venus (cargo ship)	(Grain)	Capture failed	2009-01-01	13°5′0″N 47°3′0″E
					Capture failed
About 50 miles off the coast of Yemen, the cargo ship S Venus was moving through the Gulf of Aden when a small boat with several pirates started to pursue it. The ship sent a distress call to a nearby French Frigate, the Premier-Maître L'Her that was part of an international task group sent to Somalia to help stop and deter piracy. The approaching frigate scared off the pirates, but several hours later they tried again to approach the ship. That time, the French frigate captured and boarded the boat. French forces then arrested eight men. They also found a rocket launcher, assault rifles and several boarding ladders on the pirates' vessel. According to a French spokesperson, the eight men captured will be taken to Somalia for their trial.
	Saint Kitts and Nevis (Egypt)	Blue Star (cargo ship)	28 (6,000 tons of Fertilizer)	Released after ransom	2009-01-01	13°55′0″N 47°58′0″E
					2009-03-05	US$1,000,000
Somali pirates hijacked the Egyptian cargo ship Blue Star and its 28 crewmembers right after the ship exited the Red Sea and went into the Gulf of Aden. According to the Associated Press, there are fifteen armed pirates on board and the cargo is 6,000 tons of fertilizer. According to Egyptian Deputy Foreign minister, Ahmed Rizq, company contacts are trying to negotiate a ransom. The ship was released with all of its crew on March 5 after a one million dollar ransom was rumored to have been paid. The ship is currently on route to Kenya for refueling after which it will return to the Egyptian port of Alexandria.
	India	MV Abul Kalam Azad (Tanker)	30 (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-01-02	13°42′0″N 50°39′0″E
					Capture failed
An Indian tanker, the MT Abul Kalam Azad, managed to repel two pirate skiffs with the help of the 2 helicopters dispatched from the Malaysian warship Sri Indera Sakti and an unnamed Saudi Arabian warship. It was then given a frigate escort.
	Greece ([[|]])	MV Kriti Episkopi (cargo ship)	29 (Oil)	Capture failed	2009-01-02	13°11′0″N 47°32′32″E
					Capture failed
The captain of the Kriti Episkopi saw the pirates and took evasive action. When this did not work, he hailed a nearby EU ship. Pirates in 3 speedboats approached the Kriti Episkopi twice with machine guns and RPG's and tried to board. However, the pirates were driven away the crew, who aimed high pressure fire hoses and sprayed them. While the crew was fighting off the pirates, EU aircraft took off from the near by Taskforce 150 and arrived to help. The air support remained by the cargo ship and scared off the pirates while a frigate came to escort the ship.
	Panama (Kenya)	MV Sea Princess II (freighter)	8 (unknown)	Released	2009-01-02	unknown
					2009-04-26	unknown
An oil tanker, registered in Panama, has been hijacked on the 2 or 3 of January. The ship has a crew of 8 Indian sailors. On the 26 of April 2009, Ecoterra International announced that the ship had been released.
	Netherlands Antilles ([[|]])	MV Samanyolu (unknown)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-01-02	unknown
					Capture failed	'
The Dutch Antilles-flagged ship Samanyolu was attacked by pirates but fired a flare at them, setting the pirate boat on fire. The Danish HDMS Absalon interveened and arrested 5 pirates. They will tried in Rotterdam
	Kenya	FV Victoria IV (fishing vessel)	7 (unknown)	3 Crew Members Kidnapped	2009-01-07	unknown
					3 Crew Members Kidnapped	unknown
A small fishing vessel has been attacked off the Somali coast, with a crew of 4 Kenyans and 3 Indian sailors. The pirates attacked the vessel which was anchored at the Kenyan harbor of Kiunga, 18km from the Somali border. Three people of Somali origin came in a fast skiff during the night and boarded the ship, kidnapping the three Indian crew members and mysteriously leaving the Kenyan crew unharmed. The pirates also left the ship unharmed and did not remove it from its anchorage. The ship belongs to a Kenyan company known as the Southern Engineering Company, which is part of the Alpha Group, known to be fishing illegally in Somali waters. It is possible that the kidnapping was a revenge attack targeting the company and its fishermen, also possibly involving the Kenyan sailors who may have been working with the kidnappers.
	Liberia (Netherlands)	? (container vessel)	? (?)	Capture failed.	2009-1-14	unknown
					Capture failed	Non paid
Rescued in the Gulf of Aden by a Russian warship captained by Capt. Pottengal Mukundan. 2 motor boats attacked the Dutch ship, but were chased off by the Russians after firing 2 rocket propelled grenades at it and the Russians
	Bahamas (Germany)	MV Longchamp (lpg tanker)	13 (liquefied petroleum gas)	Released after ransom	2009-01-29	unknown
					2009-03-28	Not yet demanded
The oil tanker MV Longchamp and its crew of 12 Filipinos and one Indonesian was captured when the ship was at a distance from patrolling ships. The crew is believed to be safe, even though a gunshot was heard over the ship's radio.

February

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Malta (Greece)	MV Saldanha (cargo ship)	22 (Coal)	Released	2009-02-22	unknown
					2009-04-25	unknown
A Greek owned cargo ship, with a crew of 22, was hijacked while sailing to Slovenia loaded with a cargo of coal. The previous day the ship issued a distress call to the HMS Northumberland. Helicopters from Northumberland and the USS Vella Gulf were despatched with the US Navy declaring no threat After the ship was captured, the Royal Navy seized a skiff believed to have been used in the attack. RPG munitions were disposed of and the skiff destroyed.

March

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Vietnam	MV Diamond Falcon (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-03-16	unknown
					Capture failed
The 22,500-ton Vietnamese cargo ship MV Diamond Falcon was attacked by pirates who used two small boats, in the area about 57 miles from the Yemenite port of Al Mukalla. This was the first time the Turkish frigate TCG Giresun joined the anti-piracy forces. The destroyer joined international naval forces at the Gulf of Aden two weeks previous. Giresun and the Danish warship HDMS Absalon immediately responsed after receiving the emergency from the Vietnamese cargo ship. Helicopters from the Turkish and Danish warships prevented the pirates from taking over the Vietnamese ship.
	Iran	FV Safari (fishing vessel)	14 (unknown)	Captured	2009-03-16	unknown
					Captured
An Iranian factory fishing ship has been captured by pirates off the coast of Puntland in an apparent vigilante action. These pirates seem to be local villagers from the area that have captured the ship without the authority of the Puntland government. The reasons for the capture seem to be based on illegal fishing activities and the destruction of local fishermen's nets and equipment.
	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Greece)	MV Titan (cargo ship)	24 (Steel)	Captured	2009-03-19	unknown
					2009-04-16
A cargo ship belonging to the Greek "Albamare City" shipping company was seized in the Gulf of Aden as it was transporting steel from the Black Sea to South Korea, along with its crew of 24. Three of the crew members are Greek, including the captain. The remaining crew consist of 1 Ukrainian, 3 Romanians, and 17 Filipinos. The ship was released in mid April according to the Greek merchant marine ministry.
	Turkey	MV Ulusoy 8 (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-03-19	unknown
					Capture failed
On March 19 an attack has occurred on a Turkish cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden. The Ulusoy 8 reported that it was under attack by two fast moving skiffs. The Turkish General Staff stated that the frigate TCG Giresun rebuffed the pirates and prevented the attack by sending a helicopter to intercept them.
	[[|]]	MV Al Rafiquei (cargo ship)	16 (Rice, Refined oil, Wheat, and General cargo)	Released	2009-03-21	unknown
					2009-03-21	none
Around 05:00 (UTC) on March 21 pirates captured a cargo vessel with a 16 man Indian crew. The pirates beat the crew, stole their mobile phones, and removed 5 barrels of petrol and 20 barrels of diesel. The ship was on its way from Dubai, UAE to Mogadishu, Somalia when it was intercepted by the pirates. Eventually they released the ship at 13:00 (UTC) on the same day.
	Philippines (Japan)	MV Jasmine Ace (cargo ship)	18 (Automobiles)	Capture failed	2009-03-22	unknown
					Capture failed
Pirates attacked a Japanese cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden that was able to escape by zigzagging away from the pirates. The pirates were in two small vessels and fired off automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades before escaping. The 18 man Filipino crew were unharmed in the attack. The ship was heading to the Kenyan port of Mombasa when the attack occurred.
	Panama (Greece)	MV Nipayia (Tanker)	19 (Chemicals)	Released	2009-03-25	unknown
					2009-05-09	Not yet demanded.
On the afternoon of March 25, 2009 pirates attacked the Greek tanker Nipayia approximately 450 miles (720 Km) off the coast of Somalia. The crew consists of 18 Filipinos, a Russian Captain and is managed by Athens-based Lotus Shipping.
	Seychelles ([[|]])	MV Serenity (yacht)	2 (private vessel)	Missing, presumed captured	2009-03-25	unknown
					2009-06-21
On this date, the Seychelles state broadcaster reported the yacht had vanished after departing for Madagascar on February 28, and is presumed to have been captured at an unknown date. The crew was released on the 21st of June 2009 and the boat was torched and sunk of the Somali coast due to not full ransom of 1 million US$ was paid, the ransom paid was US$ 450,000
	[[|]]	MV Explorer III / MV Ocean Explorer (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-03-25	unknown
The two ships were traveling together when two small boats began chasing. The ships sped up and outran them.
	[[|]]	MV FD Gennaro Aurilia (cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-03-25	unknown
The ship noticed a suspicious fishing boat and radioed nearby naval vessels while increasing speed. The other boat switched off its light and left the area.
	Bahamas (Norway)	MV Bow Asir (Tanker)	23 (Unknown)	Released	2009-03-26	unknown
					2009-04-10	Unspecified
On the morning of March 26, 2009 a group of 16-18 pirates attacked the Norwegian tanker Bow Asir approximately 250 miles (400 Km) off the coast of Somalia. The crew reportedly had a crew of 27 with a Russian captain, however the U.S. Navy's 5th fleet reports the the total crew is 23. Her owners, Salhus Shipping AS received a security alert message from the Bow Asir at 0729(UTC) saying the ship was being chased by two small boats with suspected pirates on board. At 0745 her captain reported that pirates had boarded the vessel. Approximately 3 hours later Salhus Shipping reported receiving an email from the vessel confirming that 16 to 18 pirates armed with machine guns had gained control of the ship. According to Norwegian press, the Bow Asir was released in exchange for an unspecified ransom on 10 April 2009.
	Germany	FGS Spessart (Replenishment Tanker)	52 (Fuel)	Capture failed, pirates detained	2009-03-30	unknown
					Capture failed
Early in the morning of 30 March 2009, a group of Somali pirates approached the the German naval replenishment tanker FGS Spessart, opened fire upon it and attempted to board the vessel. The attack was averted by the on-board security detachment, who opened fire on the pirates. A chase then ensued, ending with the pirates being stopped and detained by the German frigate FGS Rheinland-Pfalz.

April

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Germany	MV Hansa Stavanger (cargo ship)	25 (Containers)	Released after ransom paid	2009-04-04	unknown
					Released after ransom paid	two million Dollars
The German owned MV Hansa Stavanger was captured by pirates on 4 April 2009. Around May 1st, 2009, the USS Boxer assisted around 200 members of the german special operations unit GSG-9 get close to the hijacked German container ship Hansa Stavanger. During the last phase of the operation the U.S. presidents' security advisor James Jones witheld final approval for the operation out of concern for the safety of the 25 sailors aboard the vessel. This led the German department of defense to abort the planned attack on the freighter for now and the GSG-9 unit returned to their base of operations at the airport of Mombassa, Kenya. spiegel.de Among the captured sailors held hostage were eleven Tuvaluans and one Fijian. A ransom of $US15 million has been demanded. The government of Tuvalu has indicated it is incapable of paying, and has expressed great concern for its citizens. In August 2009 the ship was released after a ransom of two million dollars, according to the pirates on the ship, was paid.
	Israel	MV Africa Star (cargo ship)	25 (Containers)	Capture failed	2009-04-04	unknown
					Capture failed
The Israeli owned MV Africa Star was attacked by nine pirates on 4 April 2009. They were unable to board the ship because the crew of the ship had hung coils of barbed wire around the hull. They abandoned the attempt to hijack the ship after an aircraft was sent to the area.
	Singapore	MV Pacific Opal (chemical tanker)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-04	unknown
					Capture failed
The Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg was escorting another vessel when it received a distress from the Pacific Opal, an Indian vessel. 3 skiffs were approaching it. HMCS Winnipeg sent a Sea King helicopter to investigate, and the 3 skiffs retreated.
	France	Tanit (Yacht)	5 (none)	Rescued	2009-04-04	unknown
					2009-04-10
The French yacht was captured by pirates on 4 April 2009, taking hostage a couple, their 3-year-old child, and two friends of the family who joined them in Aden. They were supposed to join Mayotte, and left Vannes on 26 July. The French forces stormed the yacht on 10 April while the pirates refused French offers to free the hostages. One hostage, Florent Lemaçon, 28, was killed, and the four other freed, including the child. Two pirates were killed and three others captured.
	Yemen	unknown (Tug)	unknown (none)	Captured	2009-04-05	unknown
					Captured
A Yemeni tug was captured by pirates on 5 April 2009.
	Panama (United Kingdom)	MV Malaspina Castle (cargo ship)	24 (Iron ore)	Released	2009-04-06	unknown
					2009-05-09
The British owned, Panamanian flagged MV Malaspina Castle was boarded by pirates in the Gulf of Aden and captured on 6 April 2009.
	Taiwan	Win Far 161 (Fishing vessel)	30 (Tuna)	Released	2009-04-06	unknown
					2010-02-11
Taiwanese fishing vessel Win Far 161 was captured by pirates on 6 April 2009. The ship was released on 11 February 2010 after a ransom was paid. Three of the 30 crew had died during their time held hostage. It was used as the mothership for the Maersk Alabama hijacking.
	United States (Denmark)	MV Maersk Alabama (cargo ship)	21 (UN food aid)	Crew regained control	2009-04-08	unknown
					2009-04-08
Main article: Maersk Alabama hijacking The Danish owned Maersk Alabama was captured by pirates on 8 April 2009 some 400 miles (640 km) east of Mogadishu. The 21 American crew were taken hostage, but were later able to retake the ship. On 12 April 2009 a combined effort of United States Navy SEALs and United States Marine Corps snipers killed the 3 pirates holding Captain Richard Phillips hostage aboard a lifeboat from the MV Maersk Alabama, rescuing the captain; 1 pirate was captured alive that was already on board the USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) according to US Navy Vice Admiral William E. Gortney. The USS Boxer was also participating in the operation.
	[[|]]	unknown (unknown)	('unknown')	Capture failed	2009-04-10	unknown
					capture failed
The Canadian Frigate HMCS Winnipeg intervened to rescue a civilian ship under fire by a pirate skiff. A boarding team was sent to conduct a weapons inspection, but the would-be pirates "threw items overboard". A Spanish ship also participated in the rescue.
	Italy	MV Buccaneer (tugboat)	16 (empty barges)	Released	2009-04-11	unknown
					2009-08-09
The Italian-owned MV Buccaneer is a commercial tugboat with 16 crewmembers, 10 of which are Italians, which was captured by pirates on 2009-04-11.
	Panama	unknown (unknown)	(unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-11	unknown
					Capture failed
A Panamanian cargo ship was attacked by Somali pirates. The attack was repulsed by water hoses. A rocket propelled grenade failed to explode when it landed in the captain's cabin.
	Malta (Greece)	MV Panamax Anna (cargo vessel)	(unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-13	unknown
					Capture failed
The 64,000-tonne Maltese-flagged Panamax Anna was attacked by six pirates in a boat, 177 kilometres north of Bosasso, Puntland, but managed to escape. The ship has the same owner as the MV Irene, captured the following day.
	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Greece)	MV Irene (Cargo ship)	22 (unknown)	released after ransom paid	2009-04-14	unknown
					2009-09-14	$2 million
Pirates captured the Greek freighter MV Irene. The HMCS Winnipeg tried to intervene but was too far to reach the freighter in time. Exactly five months later, the ship was released following payment of a $2million ransom.
	Egypt	Mumtaz 1 and Samara Ahmed (Fishing vessels)	33 (unknown)	Released	2009-04-14	unknown
					2009-08-13
Main article: August 2009 Egyptian hostage escape Pirates captured two Egyptian fishing boats in April. In August, the captive fishermen overpowered their captors, killing and wounding several and capturing others. The unharmed crew then sailed the ship to Yemen.
	Togo (Lebanon)	MV Sea Horse (Cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	released	2009-04-14	unknown
					2009-04-20	$100 000 'ransom'
Pirates captured the Lebanese freighter MV Sea Horse. According to a Somali elder, once the pirates learned that the ship was going to India to pick up food aid to bring back to Somalia, they freed the vessel.
	United States	MV Liberty Sun (Cargo ship)	20 (US food aid)	Capture failed	2009-04-14	unknown
					Capture failed
The pirates attacked the ship, but failed to get aboard. The ship sustained damage to the bulkhead and was escorted to Mombasa, Kenya by the USS Bainbridge.
	Liberia ([[|]])	MV Safmarine Asia (Cargo ship)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-15	unknown
					Capture failed
Pirates tried to capture the Liberian-registered Safmarine Asia. The French frigate Nivose intervened and thwarted the attack with its helicopter. The Nivose tracked the pirates overnight and at dawn apprehended 11 pirates and intercepted a "pirate mother ship", which turned out to be a 10 meter long boat with fuel supply.
	Denmark ([[|]])	MV Puma (Cargo ship)	12 (generator)	Capture failed	2009-04-16	unknown
					Capture failed
The South Korean Destroyer Munmu the Great responded to a distress call from the MV Puma, who was being chased by a boat with five pirates, about 110 kilometres off the coast of Yemen. The Danish ship zigzaged to avoid the pirates and launched a flare at them to delay them. The Korean ship sent its Lynx helicopter and the pirates turned back when it threatened to fire. The Puma was traveling from Singapore to Germany.
	[[|]] (Denmark)	MT Handytankers Magic (tanker)	unknown (petroleum)	Capture failed	2009-04-18	unknown
					Capture failed
The Dutch frigate De Zeven Provincien repulsed an attack by seven pirates on the petroleum tanker MT Handytankers Magic. The frigate tracked the pirates back to a "mother ship", which turned out to be a Kidnapped Yemeni dhow and freed 20 captive fishermen. The 7 pirates were captured without a fight, but released as the Dutch did not have the legal authority to detain them. This release came under serious criticism, and the Dutch Navy admitted it has made a mistake, and that procedures could be changed.
	Belgium	Pompei (dredger)	10 (unknown)	Released after ransom	2009-04-18	unknown
					2009-06-27	EUR 2.8 million
The Belgian dredging ship the Pompei was captured by pirates 600 km from the Somali coast en route to the Seychelles. A pirate source claims it is being taken to the port of Harardhere.
	[[|]] (Norway)	MV Front Ardenne (Tanker)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-18	unknown
					Capture failed
An attack on the 80 000 ton Norwegian tanker MV Front Ardenne failed after the UK auxiliary ship RFA Wave Knight intervened. The Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg and the American frigate USS Halyburton gave pursuit, as the pirate skiff fled toward the Somalia port of Bosaso. The Winnipeg shut its lights and was able to outmaneuver the pirates. Several warning shots were fired, the pirates stopped, were boarded and disarmed. Even though a rocket propelled grenades was found on board, the pirates were let go as the Canadians did not have legal authority to detain them.
	Malta ([[|]])	MV Atlantica (cargo)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-20	unknown
					Capture failed
Two pirate boats pursued the MV Atlantica 50 km off the coast of Yemen. The vessel engaged in evasive maneuvres and escaped unharmed.
	Panama (China)	MV New Legend Honor (cargo)	unknown (unknown)	Capture failed	2009-04-20	unknown
					Capture failed
Pirates fired upon the MV New Legend of Honor. The Canadian frigate HMCS Winnipeg and the British frigate HMS Portland stopped the attack with the help of their helicopters. The pirates escaped.
	Panama (Italy)	MSC Melody (cruise ship)	490 (1000 passengers)	Capture failed	2009-04-25	unknown
					Capture failed
Pirates fired at the cruise ship MSC Melody with an automatic rifle and attempted to board at around 11:35 PM local time. After all passengers were escorted to their cabins, the ship's crew, which included a small Israeli security detail, attempted to fend off the pirates usings a fire hose and, after that failed, by pistols. The pistol fire was successful in forcing off the pirates, although they continued to fire at the ship for ten minutes before leaving the area. The ship was approximately 325 km north of the Seychelles when attacked. The Spanish auxiliary military vessel Marques de la Ensenada will provide escort to MSC Melody through the Gulf of Aden.
	Turkey ([[|]])	Ariva 3 (cruise ship)	6 (empty)	Capture failed	2009-04-26	unknown
					Capture failed
Pirates fired upon the cruise vessel Ariva 3 near the Yemeni island of Jabal Zuqar, but broke off the attack after 15 minutes for unknown reasons. The ship had no passengers and was on its way to Aden to fix an engine.
	[[|]]	Qana (Tanker)	unknown (empty)	rescued	2009-04-26	unknown
					rescued	Pirates fined and sentenced to death
The empty oil tanker MV Qana was heading to Aden when it was captured by pirates. Special forces from Yemen stormed the ship using helicopters and recaptured it. 7 pirates were captured and 3 were killed. 4 more were captured the following day. During the firefight 5 Indian crew members were injured. The ship was 10 nautical miles from the Yemeni coast when it was captured.

May

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama	MV Almezaan (Cargo ship)	18 (wheat and used vehicles)	Released as a Somali trader	2009-05-01	unknown
					2009-05-09	none
Said to be carrying wheat and vehicles to Mogadishu, the vessel was released without a ransom being paid.
	Malta (Greece)	MV Ariana (Cargo ship)	24 (Soya)	Released after ransom	2009-05-03	unknown
					2009-12-10	$3 million
Somali pirates captured the Ariana on May 2 with its 24 Ukrainian crew in the Indian Ocean on route from Brazil to the Middle East. In November, with the release of Spanish ship Alakrana, that was in contact during captivity with the Ariana to give fuel, was known that within this vessel are kidnapped two women and a girl of 12 years old. One of the abducted women, Larisa Salinska, 39 years old ship's cook, was raped by pirates. Then she had a miscarriage (it is unknown if she became pregnant as a result of the rape or not) with a large hemorrhage, heavy infection, and serious health problems. The Alakrana’s skipper tried to convey to the Ariana medicines to help Salinska, but Adan Jama, one of the pirates who had hijacked the Spanish ship, threw overboard those medicines. Also, according to the testimony from the driver's Alakrana, on board were two women, one of whom had given birth during the hijacking of the ship, having the baby about four months; also said the girl who was twelve years old was. raped by a pirate. The ship was released on 10 December 2009 after a ransom of almost $3,000,000 was paid.
	France	Nivôse (Floréal class frigate)	86 (none)	Attack repelled	2009-05-03	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
On 3 May 2009, 900 km off Somalia, the crew managed to lure pirates to attack the ship: mistaken for a merchant ship, Nivôse sailed into the sun to avoid being identified; as the pirates closed in, she turned about, launching her on-boarded helicopter and fast outboard vessels. 11 pirates were captured.
	Panama (United Arab Emirates)	MV Dubai Princess (merchant vessel)	Unknown. (Unknown.)	Capture failed. Rescue successful.	2009-05-17	unknown
					Capture failed. Rescue successful.	None
On 17 May, the Royal Australian Navy frigates HMAS Sydney and HMAS Ballarat responded to a distress call from the MV Dubai Princess, who reported that they were under attack from RPG-armed pirates attempting to board their vessel. Another vessel, MV MSC Stella, was also being harassed. The pirates fled the area after the two frigates and a Sea Hawk helicopter from Sydney appeared. The action occurred in international waters about 170 kilometres (92 nmi) south of Yemen. Sydney and Ballarat were on a six month international deployment and were passing through the Gulf of Aden at the time of the incident.

June-September

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Antigua and Barbuda (Germany)	MV Charelle (Cargo ship)	9 ()	Released after ransom	2009-06-12	unknown
					2009-12-03
On June 12, the German-registered Charelle was hijacked 60 nautical miles off Sur, Oman. At the time this was the farthest Somali pirates had ventured from the coast of Somalia. The Charelle was released on December 3, 2009, after a ransom was paid.
	Turkey	MV Horizon-1 (Cargo ship)	23 (Dry sulfur)	Released after ransom	2009-07-08	13°14′00″N 50°40′00″E
					2009-10-05	US$2,750,000
On 8 July, the Turkish-owned cargo ship MV Horizon-1 carrying dry sulfur from Saudi Arabia to Jordan was hijacked at 08:29 EEST (05:29 UTC) by five armed Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was brought first to the Somali port Hordio along with her 23-member crew including a female third officer. On July 10, the Horizon-1 left Hordio and sailed to the so-called pirate haven of Eyl in 60 nmi (110 km; 69 mi) distance southwards, cruising at low speed for unknown reason. The vessel was harassed on March 19 as she was on its way from Ukraine to China witnessing the hijacking of the Greek vessel MV Titan. The attack had failed due to appearance of naval forces at the site. On October 5, 2009, the vessel was released with its crew against a ransom of US$2,750,000 paid by a British mediator.
	Somalia	MV Barwaqo (Cargo ship)	(Merchandise)	Rescued	2009-09-24	unknown
					2009-09-24
Pirates attacked the vessel near Mogadishu harbor. During the hijacking attempt, the Syrian captain was killed and several crewmen wounded. Somali police and African Union peacekeepers rescued the ship.

October

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Spain	FV Alakrana (Fishing seiner)	36 (none)	Released after ransom	2009-10-02	1°32′00″S 054°52′00″E
					2009-11-17	Euro2,300,000
At the moment of the attack, the vessel was out of the area protected by Operation Atalanta. Two pirates were seized and brought to Spain. Pirates demanded both a four million Euro ransom and for the two pirates to be released. On November 7th thousands gathered in Bermeo (from where most of the crew came) asking for the release of the pirates. The crew was freed without the pirates being released. The two pirates where judged in Spain in a very controversial process as it was difficult to ascertain whether one of the pirates was a minor or not. The incident made the Spanish Government change its law to allow security guards to carry guns up to 12,70mm in vessels with Spanish flag. Spanish journals published pirates' families were given $50.000.
	France	Somme (Durance class tanker)	169 (Fuel)	Attack repelled	2009-10-07	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
On October 7, 2009, the Somme, an 18,000-tonne Durance-class command vessel, fuel tanker, and flagship of the French Navy, was mistaken for a cargo vessel and attacked at night in the Indian Ocean by lightly armed Somali Pirates from two armed skiffs. The pirates opened fire on the ship with small arms and launchers. The ship returned fire and headed towards the pirates. The pirates attempted to flee after realizing that the ship was a military vessel. The Somme intercepted one of the boats and gave chase. After an hour long chase, the pirates surrendered and were detained aboard the ship. Other warships arrived and began searching for the escaped skiff. The Somme had been operating 310 miles off the coast of Somalia, on its way to refuel frigates patrolling shipping lanes.
	Singapore	MV Kota Wajar (Container)	21 (Unknown)	Released after ransom	2009-10-15	unknown
					2009-12-28	$4 million
Captured 300 nautical miles (560 km) north of the Seychelles. Heading to Mombasa, Kenya. The ship was released on 28 December, with China claiming to have rescued the crew. A Canadian warship provided logistical and medical assistance to the ship.
	China	De Xin Hai (Bulk Carrier)	25 (Coal)	Released after ransom	2009-10-19	unknown
					2009-12-28	$4 million
On October 19, 2009, the Chinese bulk carrier, owned by COSCO Qingdaq, was captured 700 miles east of the Somali coastline in the Indian Ocean. Two skiffs were utilized in the capture. This was the farthest afield that the Somali pirates had ever struck, and the attack occurred with three Chinese naval vessels in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean.
	Panama (India)	MV Al-Khaliq (Bulk Carrier)	26 (Wheat [35,000 metric tonne])	Captured	2009-10-22	unknown
					Captured	Unknown
On October 22, 2009, this ship was hijacked as it traveled from Novorossiysk, Russia to Mombasa, Kenya. It was captured about 330km off the Seychelles. At least six pirates and two skiffs were involved in the apprehension.
	United Kingdom	Lynn Rival (Yacht)	2 (None)	Captured	2009-10-23	unknown
					Captured	Not known
The yacht Lynn Rival was on a voyage from the Seychelles to Tanzania when it was attacked by Somali pirates. A distress call was sent. It is reported that a ransom demand will be issued. The yacht was found on 29 October following a multi-agency search but the two crew were not on board. It was later revealed that they were being held on board the container ship MV Kota Wajah moored off Ceel Huur, Somalia. It was later revealed that Royal Navy personnel on board RFA Wave Knight witnessed the transfer of the two crew from the Lynn Rival, but did not intervene for fear of causing casualties among the kidnapped couple. A ransom of $7,000,000 (£4,300,000) has been demanded. The couple were reported to have been transferred from Koto Wajah to another vessel and then to shore. The Foreign Office has stated that no ransom will be paid. The Somali community in the United Kingdom appealed for the crew to be released on humanitarian grounds, citing the fact that the yacht was not involved in the dumping of toxic waste or illegal fishing and was in international waters. Lynn Rival was returned to the United Kingdom on RFA Wave Knight, arriving at Portland, Dorset on 26 November.
	Thailand	Thai Union 3 (Trawler)	27 (23 Russians; 2 Filipinos; 2 Ghanians) (Fish)	Captured	2009-10-29	unknown
					Captured	Unknown
On October 29, 2009, this vessel was hijacked 200 miles north of the Seychelles by a pair of skiffs.
	Yemen	Unknown (Fishing vessel)	Unknown (Unknown)	Captured	2009-10-31	unknown
					Captured	Unknown
On October 31, 2009, this vessel was hijacked near Eyl, with one of the pirates being killed by the armed crew during the effort.
	France	Avel Vad (Trawler)	Unknown (Unknown)	Attack repelled	2009-10-31	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
On October 31, 2009, this vessel was attacked early in the morning between the Somali coast and the Seychelles. The crew repelled the attempted hijacking by firing flares.

November

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines)	Almezaan (Cargo ship)	18 (armoured vehicles)	Released after ransom	2009-11-07	unknown
					2009-11-20
Almezaan was captured a second time on 7 November. It was claimed that it was carrying weapons but this was denied by her owners. A $3,000,000 dollar ransom was demanded, but a lower amount was paid and the ship was released.
	Marshall Islands (Greece)	MV Delvina (Bulk Carrier)	21 (Wheat)	Captured	2009-11-05	unknown
					Captured	None
On November 5, 2009, this vessel was attacked and captured 280 nautical miles east of Tanzania, on its way to Mombasa, Kenya.
	Singapore (British Virgin Islands)	MV Theresa VIII (Chemical tanker)	28 (Unknown)	Captured	2009-11-05	unknown
					Captured	None
On November 17, 2009, this vessel was attacked and captured 180 nautical miles northwest of the Seychelles, on its way to Mombasa, Kenya. The crew of the vessel was comprised entirely of North Koreans.
	Hong Kong	MV BW Lion (Tanker)	Unknown (Unknown)	Attack repelled	2009-11-07	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
Somali pirates attacked the BW Lion when she was 400 nautical miles (740 km) north east of the Seychelles and 1,000 nautical miles (1,900 km) off the coast of Somalia. The ship's crew managed to evade the attack.
	Marshall Islands (Greece)	MV Filitsa (Bulk carrier)	22 (Unknown)	Released	2009-11-17	unknown
					2010-2-1	unknown
Somali pirates captured the Filitsa some 36 nautical miles (67 km) off Balhaf, Yemen. The vessel was released on February 1, 2010, after the ship's owner, Order Shipping, paid an undisclosed amount of ransom money.
	United States (Denmark)	MV Maersk Alabama (cargo ship)	21 (unknown)	Attack repelled	2009-11-18	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama some 350 nautical miles (650 km) east of Somalia. The attack was repelled when the crew returned fire at the pirates.
	Greece	MV Maran Centaurus (tanker)	28 (oil)	Released	2009-11-30	unknown
					2010-01-19	US$5,500,000 to $7,000,000
Somali pirates captured the Maran Centaurus some 800 nautical miles (1,500 km) east of Somalia. The ship was carrying US$140 million in crude oil at the time of its capture. The ship was released on 19 January after a ransom of between US$5,500,000 and $7,000,000 was paid.

December

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Pakistan	MV Shahzaib (Fishing vessel)	29 ()	Released	2009-12-6	unknown
					2010-1-2
The ship was captured 300 nautical miles east of the Socotra Island near the Gulf of Aden, and later used to hijack MV Asian Glory, a UK-owned car carrier.
	Yemen	MV Al Mahmoud 2 (cargo ship)	15 (unknown)	Captured	2009-12-28	unknown
					Captured
The ship was reported to have been captured on 28 December.
	United Kingdom	MV St James Park (chemical tanker)	26 (Chemicals)	Captured	2009-12-28	unknown
					Captured
The ship was reported to have been captured on 28 December while on a voyage from Thailand to Spain.
	Panama (Greece)	MV Navios Apollon (cargo ship)	19 (Unknown)	Captured	2009-12-28	unknown
					Captured
The ship was reported to have been captured north of the Seychelles on 28 December while on a voyage from Florida to India.

2010

January

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Singapore (Indonesia)	MV Pramoni (Chemical tanker)	24 (Not known)	Captured	2010-01-01	unknown
					Captured	Not known
Pramoni was attacked by Somali pirates and captured.
	South Korea (United Kingdom)	MV Asian Glory (Cargo ship)	26 (Cars)	Captured	2010-01-02	unknown
					Captured	Not known
Asian Glory was attacked by Somali pirates and captured some 620 miles (1,000 km) off the coast of Somalia.
	Cambodia	MV Layla S (Cargo ship)	(Unknown)	Captured	2010-01-27	unknown
					Captured	Not known
Layla S was attacked by Somali pirates and captured off the port of Berbera, Somalia after discharging her cargo.

February

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	North Korea (Libya)	Rim (Cargo ship)	17 (Clay)	Re-captured by crew	2010-02-02	unknown
					2010-06-02	None
Rim was attacked by Somali pirates and captured on 2 February 2010. Crew re-captured ship 2 June 2010.
	Antigua and Barbuda (Slovenia)	Ariella (Cargo ship)	25 (Steel)	Released	2010-02-05	unknown
					2010-02-05	None
Ariella was attacked by Somali pirates and captured on 5 February 2010. After sending a distress call she was recaptured by NATO Danish Special Forces. The crew were found unharmed and the pirates had apparently escaped.
	Tanzania	MV Barakaale 1 (Cargo ship)	Unknown (Unknown)	Capture failed	2010-02-23	unknown
					2010-02-23	None
Barakaale 1 was attacked by pirates in a skiff. A distress call was made and a helicopter from USS Farragut was despatched. The pirates were arrested by a boarding team dispatched from USS Farragut.

March

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Marshall Islands (Norway)	MV UBT Ocean (Oil tanker)	Unknown (Crude oil)	Captured	2010-03-5	unknown
						Unknown
UBT Ocean was seized by pirates while carrying oil between the United Arab Emirates and Tanzania, and was sailed towards a Somali port. The ship is technically and commercially operated from Singapore. It's crew are all from Burma.
	Panama	MV Almezaan (cargo vessel)	Unknown (Unknown)	Capture failed, one pirate killed	2010-23-3	unknown
						none
Almezaan was attacked on 23 March 2010 by Somali pirates in a skiff. An "armed private vessel protection department" team was on board and engaged the pirates in a gunfight. One pirate was killed. A second attack on Almezaan was also repelled. The Spanish frigate Navarra responded to a distress signal, despatching a helicopter which stopped both skiffs after firing warning shots. Six pirates were arrested, and the body of a seventh was recovered. In reaction to the incident, the International Maritime Bureau expressed concern that the incident would lead to an increase in violence from Somali pirates when capturing ships.

April

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	United States	USS Nicholas (FFG-47) (Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate)	Unknown (N/A)	Attack failed, five pirates captured	2010-04-01	unknown
						None
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) was attacked by pirates in international waters west of the Seychelles. The United States Navy frigate returned fire sinking a pirate skiff and eventually confiscating a pirate mother ship. Five pirates were captured.
	South Korea (Singapore)	Samho Dream (Supertanker)	24 (Crude oil)	Captured	2010-04-04	unknown
Samho Dream was captured on April 4 by Somali pirates.
	Germany	MV Taipan (Container Ship)	13 (Unknown)	Capture failed, ten pirates captured	2010-04-05	unknown
					2010-04-05	none
The MV Taipan was boarded by pirates approximately 500 nm east off the Somali coast. The crew were able to retreat to a safe room onboard and to disable the engine. Their call for help was responded to by Dutch Frigate HNLMS Tromp whose crew entered the vessel and fought down the pirates when initial negotiatons failed. Ten pirates were taken into custody while the Taipan's crew was released unharmed.
	United States	USS Ashland (LSD-48) (Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship)	Unknown (N/A)	Attack failed, six pirates captured	2010-04-10	unknown
						None
Pirates fired shots at the USS Ashland (LSD-48) 330 nm off the coast of Djibouti. The United States Navy ship returned fire, setting the pirates' skiff ablaze. Six pirates abandoned the skiff and were rescued by personnel from the Ashland.
	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Seychelles)	MV Rak Afrikana (Cargo ship)	23 (Unknown)	Captured	2010-04-11	unknown
						Unknown as of 16 September 2024
The MV Rak Afrikana cargo ship was seized approximately 280 nm west of the Seychelles.
	Thailand	MV Prantalay 11, 12, and 14 (Fishing vessels)	77 (Unknown)	Captured	2010-04-18	unknown
						Unknown as of 16 September 2024
The fishing boats MV Prantalay 11, 12, and 14 were captured approximately 1,900 km (1200 miles) east of Somalia, near the Indian coast, the farthest yet Somali pirates have struck.

May

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Liberia (Russia)	MV Moscow University (Tanker)	23 (Crude oil)	Rescued by a Russian warship; hijackers arrested	2010-05-05	unknown
					2010-05-06	None
The Liberian flagged Moscow University was attacked by Somali pirates in two speedboats when some 500 nautical miles (930 km) off the coast of Somalia. The Udaloy-class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov was reported to be en route to the aid of the crew of Moscow University. The crew are reported to have locked themselves in the ship's radar room. On 6 May, Marshal Shaposhnikov rescued the hijacked vessel, with the entire crew escaping unharmed.
	Malta (Japan)	SS Oceanic (Cruise ship)	Unknown (Unknown)	Avoided capture; hijackers arrested	May 2010, exact date unknown	unknown
					Attack repelled	None
According to reports in Japanese and Croatian newspapers, the Japanese-owned but Maltese-flagged educational cruise ship Oceanic came under attack off the coast of Yemen sometime during the week between 3 and 9 May 2010. The ship was attacked with grenades, but managed to avoid capture by adopting zig-zag manoeuvres and blasting the pirates high-pressure water hoses. Reportedly the pirates were subsequently apprehended by NATO forces.

June

Image	Flag (owner)	Name (class)	Crew (cargo)	Status	Date of attack	Coordinates
					Date of release	Ransom demanded
	Panama	MV QSM Dubai (Cargo ship)	24 (Unknown)	Released by security forces	2010-06-02	unknown
					2010-06-03	unknown
The Panamanian flagged MV QSM Dubai was captured by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Somalia security forces retook ship, 7 pirates captured, Captain killed by pirates.

External links

• ECOTERRA Intl. - Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor
• ECOTERRA Intl. - Status of seized vessels and crews in Somalia
• Coordination marée noire - List of ships attacked by Somalian pirates since 2009