The hijacking of a merchant vessel which was at anchorage off the Salalah coast of Oman on Saturday has brought to light a disturbing trend wherein pirates are now not only attacking ships sailing in the high seas but entering areas near the ports to carry out their operations.

Recently, suspected Somali pirates launched an attack on the oil tanker MT Fairchem Bogey, anchored off the Salalah coast. After capturing the vessel and taking its 21 Indian crew members hostage, the pirates forcibly sailed the ship towards some island off the Somali coast.

“Earlier, pirates were found to carry out attacks on ships sailing in the high seas but now we find that even at places near the port or the coast, where ships are anchored and considered safe by seafarers, pirates are fearlessly carrying out attacks,” said Satish Agnihotri, director general of shipping. He added, “It could be the first such case but is very alarming. Despite deployment of forces in the high seas, pirates are not stopping their operations and are going a step ahead by carrying out attacks like this one.”

The ship management company Anglo Eastern Ship Management Private Limited informed the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping about the ship being attacked and its crew members being taken hostage by suspected pirates on Saturday. Subsequently, DG Shipping officials informed maritime security agencies like the Navy, Coast Guard and also special forces and navies of other countries. Agencies and special forces have been asked to keep a watch on the vessel's movements and trace its trajectory since the hostages are not being allowed to communicate with maritime agencies.

“We have information about where the pirates are taking the vessel to but they cannot be intercepted until they reach their destination as they have 21 crew members hostage and their life could be under threat. We are waiting once they reach their destination and then start communication from their side so that negotiations and talks could be done for the release of the captured vessel and crew members,” said Agnihotri.