Dutch warship takes back containership
The crew of a Dutch frigate was able to retake a German-flagged and owned containership hours after it was seized by a group of pirates on Monday.
The European Union’s Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) said the Taipan was traveling to Mombasa from Djibouti when it was attacked by pirates 500 nautical miles east of the Somali Coast. As the pirates boarded the ship the Taipan crew locked themselves in a secure strong room. They were able to stop all engines, and alert EU NAVFOR that the ship had been taken.
The Dutch warship HNLMS Tromp was sent immediately to the scene. After pirates refused to negotiate, marines from the Tromp boarded, retook control of the ship, and took 10 pirates into custody. The Taipan's crew of 13 (two German, three Russian and eight Sri Lankan nationals) were released unharmed.
Dutch warship takes back containership
