Greek Tanker Captured by Somali Pirates
07 July 2010

Early Monday morning, the chemical products tanker MT Motivator fell into the hands of Somali pirates in the southern Red Sea.

Ecoterra writes that the Greek-owned vessel had reported a pirate attack Sunday midday, saying small fire arms were used.

The ship carried a crew of 18 Filipinos and was loaded with lubrication oil. The 18 Filipino seafarers on board the tanker seized by the  pirates are all accounted for and safe, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Executive director Enrico Fos of the DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (OUMWA) said the seafarers were able to communicate with their families to let them know of their situation.

“They are still being held captive but they were able to call their families here to tell them they are safe," Fos said.

Foreign warships tried to intercept the over 14,000-ton tanker guessing at its route toward the Somali coast.

According to Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor from Ecoterra Intl., currently, 23 foreign vessels are being held by pirates in the Somali region and 424 crew members are waiting to be released.

Since 2008, the international naval presence in the region is larger than ever with various joint international operations.

But at the same time, "piracy has increased to an all-time high with increased violence and escalating armed encounter," reports Ecoterra. A trend toward targeting larger vessels is being reported.