By Somalilandtimes network

Mogadishu, March 17, 06 – About five pirates armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades tried to hijack the UN-chartered ship," Noel Choong, head of the Piracy Reporting Centre of the London-based International Maritime Bureau, told AFP. He said the attack took place off the Somalian coast on Monday after the ship had discharged its cargo.

The MV Rozen, which was on its way to Kenya, transports food rations for the World Food Programme (WFP) to drought victims in Somalia. Choong said the ship managed to out-run the pirates and also rammed their vessel.

Choong said more international policing of Somalian waters was required to prevent further attacks, adding there has been four attacks so far in 2006.

In a recent incident, pirates hijacked an Indian ship, the Bhakti Saga, on February 26 and are still holding its 25-member crew and have demanded a ransom, he said.

The waters around Somalia are among the most dangerous in the world, with heavily armed gangs prepared to venture far offshore to attack vessels.

Source: Sapa-AFP /dg

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