Chinese Bulk Carrier on its way to Hobyo (Archives)

The Hijacked Bulk Carrier the DE XIN HAI is confirmed to have arrived off the coast of Somalia and is now in the vicinity of Hobyo.

It is not yet known if the pirates have contacted the owners and made their demands known.

The EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft monitored the ship in the area of the hijacking.

Chinese Bulk carrier heading northwest (Source: EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft)

The bulk carrier DE XIN HAI is heading northwest and is now 650 nautical miles off the East coast of Somalia.

October 19th 2009 the ship from the Peoples Republic of China was hijacked in the Indian Ocean, 350 nautical miles North East of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off the East coast of Somalia.

An EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft, operating from the Seychelles was launched and located the ship and has reported that there are 4 pirates visible and 2 skiffs (small pirate craft) being towed by the ship.

The bulk carrier was not registered with the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa.

Adding these 25 hostages from the Bulk Carrier to the total number of personnel held by hostages, this makes 146 hostages in total held by criminals at the Somali Coastline.

On indication of an attack an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft, operating from the Seychelles was launched to investigate the incident. The MPA located the ship and has reported that there are 4 pirates visible and 2 skiffs (small pirate craft) being towed by the ship

The bulk carrier was not registered with the Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa.

Adding these 25 hostages from the Bulk Carrier to the total number of personnel held by hostages, this makes 146 hostages in total held by criminals at the Somali Coastline.

This Press Release was updated at 3:45.