Indian Navy intercepts merchant vessel after attempted hijacking; rescues 21 crew members

New Delhi: Marine commandos on board Indian Navy’s missile destroyer INS Chennai on Friday intercepted the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MV Lila Norfolk — hijacked by Somalian pirates in the north Arabian Sea a day before — and rescued all the 21 crew, including 15 Indians, officials said.

“All the 21 crew, including 15 Indians, on board have been safely evacuated from the citadel. The sanitisation by MARCOs has confirmed the absence of the hijackers personnel. The attempt of hijacking by the pirates was probably abandoned with the forceful warning by the Indian Navy,” a navy spokesperson said.

The vessel was sailing from Port Du Aco in Brazil and was destined to reach Khalifa Bin Salman in Bahrain when it was hijacked 300 nautical miles east of Somalia.

Since INS Chennai was in the vicinity, the warship was pressed into action. “INS Chennai, diverted from her anti-piracy patrol, intercepted the merchant vessel at 15.15 hours on Jan 5. The ship was kept under continuous surveillance using maritime patrol aircraft, Predator MQ9B (drones) and helicopters. The Indian Navy marine commandos boarded the vessel and commenced sanitisation,” he said.

Earlier in the day, an Indian aircraft flew over the vessel and established contact with the ship, ascertaining the safety of the crew, which includes 15 Indians.

Following the sanitisation, the naval ship assisted the MV Lila Norfolk crew to restore the power generation and propulsion, following which the ship commenced its voyage to the next port of call.

On Thursday evening, the UK Maritime Trade Organisation informed New Delhi about the hijacking attempt after the vessel sent a message on UKMTO portal, indicating boarding by five to six unknown armed personnel on Jan 4 evening.

Responding swiftly, the navy launched a patrol aircraft for surveillance and diverted INS Chennai to assist the vessel.

The Indian Navy has strengthened its deployment in the Arabian Sea as the last few weeks witnessed increased maritime security incidents involving merchant vessels transiting through international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and central and north Arabian Sea.

The piracy incident on MV Ruen, approximately 700 nautical miles from the Indian coast, and the recent drone attack on commercial tanker MV Chem Pluto, about 220 nautical miles south west of Porbandar, indicates a shift in maritime incidents closer to the Indian EEZ.

The strike on MV Chem Pluto, which was on its way to Mangaluru, was the first one outside the Red Sea and Suez Canal, showcasing the reach of the attacks.