NYK-Hinode Line ship hijacked

NYK-Hinode Line ship hijacked

   European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) said a ship operated by NYK-Hinode Line between Japan and Africa has been seized by pirates off the coast of Somalia.

   On Sunday afternoon, the owners of the Panamanian-flag Izumi, reported they received an automatically released distress signal indicating the ship was likely under pirate attack.

   Danish warship HDMS Esbern Snare of the NATO counter piracy force was dispatched to intercept and investigate, and early Monday, the Izumi's captain made contact with the Danish warship, stating pirates were in charge. EU NAVFOR said the French warship FS Floreal is monitoring the pirated vessel which is 170 nautical miles south of Mogadishu.

   The 20,170-deadweight-ton Izumi has a crew of 20, all Filipinos.

   The ship is one of two NYK-Hinode operates in a service between Japan and Africa, according to the company’s Web site. The Associated Press quoted an official at Japan’s transport ministry as saying the ship was traveling between Singapore and Mombasa. Other stops on the ship’s itinerary were to include Dar-Es-Salaam, Maputo, and Durban, the company’s Web site said.