NE Watch Desk
The Indian Navy has been keeping vigil after cargo ship MV Lila Norfolk, carrying 15 Indians, has been hijacked late last evening near the coast of Somalia. Additionally, INS Chennai, a warship has been rushed towards it and communication has been set up with the crew, informed the military officials.
The hijacked vessel, reportedly, headed from Brazil’s Porto du Acu to Khalifa bin Salman Port in Bahrain and was scheduled to dock on January 11. Vessel Finder stated the last regular communication from the ship was received on December 30.
Jump in Hijacking Incidents
Taking cognizance of rising occurrences of hijacking of merchant or cargo vessels, Bharat has been constantly monitoring the situation in the region. The Gulf of Aden and the North Arabian Sea are particularly in their radar in recent time.
Indian Navy’s Swift Action
After the hijacking bid onboard Liberia-flagged bulk carrier, the ship had sent a message on UKMTO portal informing about sudden arrival of about five to six unknown armed personnel in the evening of January 4.
Responding swiftly to the maritime incident and the developing situation in the Arabian Sea, Indian Navy launched an MPA and rushed INS Chennai deployed for Maritime Security Operations to help the ship.
The aircraft flew over the vessel on early morning of January 5 and was able to establish contact with the hijacked ship, ascertaining the crew’s safety.
The Indian Navy along with other agencies or MNF and international partners and friendly foreign countries have been persistently reviewing the overall situation in the area.
