By Lee Tae-hoon
The same shipping company that paid a record ransom of more than $9 million to Somali pirates is faced with another hijacking incident off the same coast of Somalia.
On Saturday, the 11,500-ton chemical tanker, Samho Jewelry, was seized by Somali pirates in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean, some 2,000 kilometers away from the South Korean Navy’s Cheonghae anti-piracy unit in the Indian Ocean.
Eight Koreans, two Indonesians and 11 from Myanmar were aboard. Safety concerns over the 21 sailors of the tanker are escalating. Yet Samho Shipping has no choice but to hope for a dramatic rescue or prepare to pay yet another ransom.
When asked what steps the shipping firm is considering to rescue the ship and crew and to prevent the recurrence of hijacking, Samho Shipping declined to comment.
The government is insisting that it will take all possible measures to rescue sailors of the abducted cargo ship, but flatly ruled out the possibility of negotiating with Somali pirates.
The grim reality is that the chance of rescuing the abducted sailors from the heavily armed Somali pirates without any casualties is slim unless they pay a handsome ransom.
“Once all diplomatic and military measures end in vain, it will be all about the money,” a senior official of the Korea Shipowners’ Association said.
He added that it is unlikely that the government will partake in any negotiations with Somali pirates or share the financial burden, even if Samho Shipping decides to rescue its sailors by paying a large ransom.
Two other South Koreans are currently being held hostage by Somali pirates, following the hijacking of their 241-ton fishing trawler, the Keummi 305, last October in waters off Kenya’s Lamu Island.
A total of 29 vessels and 693 hostages are known to be held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia. Some countries, including the United States and France, have succeeded in rescuing their citizens from Somali pirates through military operations.
The U.S. Navy Seals rescued the crew of the Maersk Alabama from a gang of pirates in 2009, killing three of those who were keeping the ship’s captain hostage.
Russia, the Netherlands and France have also had success in rescuing their sailors through military operations.
However, some critics say that such military operations should be undertaken when pirates have yet to take complete control of the sailors, who often lock themselves in sheltered parts, such as the engine room.