The Sirius Star Islamic militants have vowed to fight pirates holding the Saudi Arabian oil tanker Sirius Star off the Somalian coast. The militants are angered over the seizure of a 'Muslim' ship. The tanker is anchored near Haradheere , a town controlled by the Islamists. The Sirius Star, owned by Saudi state firm Vela International Marine , has a crew of 25 from the Philippines , Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Poland and Britain . A ransom of $25 million is being sought, a quarter of the value of the vessel's cargo of oil. 91 ships have been attacked by pirates in the Gulf of Arden since the year began, but the Sirius Star is both the largest and furthest from shore to be taken, captured some 420 nautical miles (833 kilometers) from Somalia's coast. Shipping companies have rerouted around the area. The news is not entirely bad, however, as a Greek tanker full of refined oil was released today, complete with cargo intact and crew of 19 unharmed. The MV Genius, now headed out of the area, was captured September 26, the same day as the MV Faina was taken. The Faina remains held with a cargo of military hardware including tanks.
The Sirius Star militants have vowed to fight pirates holding the oil tanker off the Somalian coast. The militants are angered over the seizure of a 'Muslim' ship. The tanker is anchored near , a town controlled by the Islamists. The Sirius Star, owned by Saudi state firm , has a crew of 25 from , Saudi Arabia, , , and . A ransom of $25 million is being sought, a quarter of the value of the vessel's cargo of oil. 91 ships have been attacked by pirates in the since the year began, but the Sirius Star is both the largest and furthest from shore to be taken, captured some 420 nautical miles (833 kilometers) from Somalia's coast. Shipping companies have rerouted around the area. The news is not entirely bad, however, as a Greek tanker full of refined oil was released today, complete with cargo intact and crew of 19 unharmed. The MV Genius, now headed out of the area, was captured September 26, the same day as the was taken. The Faina remains held with a cargo of military hardware including tanks.
D
Islamic
R
Saudi Arabian oil tanker Sirius Star
oil tanker
D
Haradheere
D
Vela International Marine
D
the Philippines
R
Croatia, Poland and Britain
, , and
D
Gulf of Arden
D
MV Faina