A Liberian-flagged ship was hijacked off Somalia, with 15 Indian members on crew board. The Indian navy sprung to action and deployed the warship INS Chennai to track the situation and ensure the crew’s Safety. The Indian navy monitored the hijacked ship regularly, MV LILA NORFOLK, and got insights about it last evening. Indian Navy aircraft were keeping a watch on the plane and communication establishment with a group who had been in a safe residence on board the ship, said army officers.
Indian Navy MissionÂ
The Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed platforms responded to a maritime incident in the Arabian Sea related to a hijacking try onboard a Liberia-flagged bulk carrier. The vessel had sent a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding via approximately 5 to 6 unknown armed personnel on Thursday night.
INS Chennai moves close to the hijacked vessel
As per the army officials, the information about the ship being hijacked off Somalia’s coast was acquired on Thursday evening. Moreover, the Indian Navy aircraft had been maintaining a watch on the ship. Additionally, the Indian Navy warship INS Chennai is moving closer to the hijacked vessel to know the condition.Â
The ship headed by Brazil’s Porto du Acu
According to media reviews, the ship was headed from Brazil’s Porto du Acu to Khalifa bin Salman Port in Bahrain and was predicted to dock on January eleven. The last normal communication from the ship was acquired on December 30, consistent with Vessel Finder.
According to the current updates, the Indian Navy warship INS Chennai is shifting toward the hijacked vessel to tackle the situation.
Rise in hijacking incidents.
In the wake of elevated incidents of hijacking of service provider/ shipment ships, India has been constantly tracking the state of affairs inside the location — especially within the Gulf of Aden and the North Arabian Sea — during the last few days. Hence, INS Chennai, which turned into inside the region, was deployed to reply to the scenario.
Indian military’s announcement
Indian Navy’s Mission Deployed platforms responded swiftly to a maritime incident in the Arabian Sea involving a hijacking try onboard Liberia Flagged bulk service. The vessel had sent a message on the UKMTO portal indicating boarding by using approximately 5 to 6 unknown armed employees at night.Â
Responding unexpectedly to the developing situation, the Indian Navy launched an MPA and diverted INS Chennai, deployed for Maritime Security Operations to help the vessel. The aircraft overflew the vessel on the early morning of January 05 and installed contact with the vessel, ascertaining the Safety of the team. Naval aircraft keeps revealing motion, and INS Chennai is the last vessel to render help.
ConclusionÂ
An Indian ship with 15 crew members, ‘MV LILA NORFOLK,’ was hijacked late final night close to the Somalia coast. The hijack has 15 Indians on board, and communication has been hooked up with the team. The condition is being closely monitored in coordination with different organizations/MNFs in the location. The Indian Navy remains dedicated to ensuring the Safety of merchant ships in the vicinity with international companions and pleasant foreign nations.