Pirates capture a VLCC
A very large crude carrier seized on Sunday is believed to be the second-largest ship ever hijacked by Somali pirates.
The tanker Maran Centaurus was seized 600 miles northeast of the Seychelles according to the Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa, run by the European Union Naval Force. The crew of 28 included nine Greek, 16 Filipino, two Ukrainian and a Romanian seafarer.
The Greek-flag ship was traveling to New Orleans from Jeddah. The 1995-built ship is part of the fleet of Maran Tankers Management of Athens, which is part of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group.
The Maran Centaurus has a capacity of 300,294 deadweight tons compared to the 319,430-dwt Sirius Star, a VLCC hijacked by pirates in November 2008.
Pirates capture a VLCC
