Staff Reporter :
Authorities involved with the hijacked Bangladeshi vessel MV Abdullah, which is presently anchored near the Somali coast, are reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Somali pirates to swiftly end the hostage situation.
A Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) official informed the press that efforts are underway to identify a feasible method for transferring the ransom to the pirates, aiming for the release of the 23 crew members along with the ship itself.
Captain Sabbir Mahmud, a Principal Officer at the MMD, conveyed to the media on Thursday that discussions with the pirates are nearing conclusion, with focus now shifting towards arranging the ransom payment for the crew’s release.
He emphasized, “The primary concern is securing the release of the 23 crew members. The ship’s owner, KSRM, will decide on the subsequent steps regarding this matter.”
Captain Mahmud also mentioned that the crew’s release might not occur before Eid due to remaining procedural requirements, stating, “It will take some time to complete them.” He refrained from commenting on the pirates’ demands.
Negotiations are ongoing, with the ship’s owners working to negotiate the ransom down to an acceptable figure. The specific ransom amount demanded by the hijackers for releasing the MV Abdullah has not been publicly disclosed.
Upon reaching an agreement, strategies for swiftly transferring the ransom to the pirates are being discussed.
The release and repatriation of the sailors post-agreement might still require a couple of weeks, making their release before Eid unlikely, according to sources.
Efforts to prepare for the ship’s return to Bangladesh are underway, including the assembly of a new crew.
Captain Anam Choudhury, President of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, highlighted the necessity of negotiations for the hostages’ release as the sole method to rescue both the ship and its crew.
The possibility of the ship’s owners taking action against the pirates post-release remains uncertain.
Mizanul Islam, a media advisor for Kabir Group, mentioned ongoing discussions with the ship’s owners via a third party, noting significant progress despite the absence of a finalized agreement.
The MV Abdullah was hijacked by Somali pirates on March 12 while transporting coal with 23 crew members in the Indian Ocean.
Following the incident, the EU Navy and Indian Navy expressed interest in conducting a rescue operation for the Bangladeshi crew. However, the ship’s authorities immediately opted for negotiation over operational intervention.