Indian Navy responds swiftly against hijacking in Arabian Sea; rescues Malta vessel with 18 crew members onboard

New Delhi, Dec 16: In a significant development, the Indian Navy's warship and maritime patrol aircraft responded swiftly against the hijacking of Malta Flagged Vessel MV Ruen, on December 16, 2023, in the Arabian Sea.

 

 

 

According to the Indian Navy, a Navy aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on December 15 and is continuously monitoring movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia.

 

“Responding swiftly to the developing situation, Indian Navy diverted its Naval Maritime Patrol aircraft undertaking surveillance in the area and its warship on Anti Piracy patrol in the Gulf Aden to locate & assist MV Ruen. The aircraft overflew the hijacked vessel on early morning of 15 Dec 23 and IN aircraft have been continuously monitoring movement of the vessel, which is now heading towards the coast of Somalia," Indian Navy said in a statement.

 

 

Indian Navy’s warship, mission deployed in Gulf of Aden for anti-piracy patrol, has also intercepted MV Ruen in the early hours of 16 Dec 23, said Indian Navy.

 

The overall situation is being closely monitored, in coordination with other agencies/ MNF in the area, according to a PIB release.

 

MV Ruen, flagged in Malta, was hijacked on Friday evening in the Arabian Sea by Somali pirates. MV Ruen was promptly rescued by Indian Navy warships and maritime patrol aircraft on Saturday. As soon as the alert was received, Indian Navy warships diverted from their anti-piracy patrols to locate and assist the MV Ruen.

 

“The Indian Navy MPA overflew MV Ruen early morning 15Dec & continues to monitor the vessel, now heading towards coast of Somalia. The IN Warship on Anti Piracy patrol intercepted MV Ruen, early hours of 16Dec. Situation being closely monitored," said Indian Navy Spokesperson on social media platform X.

 

The cargo ship, Ruen, managed by Bulgarian shipping company Navibulgar was off the Yemeni island of Socotra when it was hijacked on Thursday, UKMTO said. According to the shipping company, the crew members are nationals of Angola, Bulgaria and Myanmar, an AP report said.

 

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Maria Gabriel commented on this situation and told reporters that necessary steps have been taken to pass on the information to all foreign partners and institutions that Bulgaria will count on to provide assistance.

 

Report suggest that Somalian pirates are behind the vessel hijack. They have been comparatively less active in the recent years. This is because several countries deployed their counter-piracy efforts in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.