Panama-flagged vessel with 24 Filipino crew hijacked by Somali pirates

A December 13, 2010 press release prepared by the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today that a Panama-flagged and Greek-owned vessel with 24 Filipino seafarers was seized by Somali pirates on December 11.

The MV Renaur was hijacked about 1,050 nautical miles east of Somalia in the Indian Ocean.  It was enroute to Fujirah in the United Arab Emirates from Port Louis, Mauritius when it was attacked.

The vessel is now enroute to Somalia.

The DFA-Office of the Undersecreary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) instructed Philippine Liaison Officer to the Combined Maritime Forces in Manama, Captain Gaudencio Collado, to assist in the efforts of the European Union naval forces (EU NAVFOR) to undertake rescue operations on the vessel before it reaches Somali waters.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Esteban B. Conejos also instructed Captain Collado to convey to the EU NAVFOR that the paramount concern of the Philippine Government is the safety of the Filipino crew.

The DFA-OUMWA also called the Philippine Embassy in Athens to convey the same message to the vessel’s Greek-based managing owner.

To date, there are 100 Filipino seafarers onboard eight vessels held captive by pirates.

The DFA-OUMWA continues to coordinate closely with the concerned Philippine Embassies, the vessels’ principals and the local manning agencies for the early and safe release of the other seafarers.