Chinese vessel sea-jacked in Indian Ocean 700 nautical miles off Somalia

A Chinese bulk carrier was hijacked in the Indian Ocean on Monday, the EU's anti-piracy naval mission in the region reported, immediately launching an investigation into the incident.

The vessel is a panamax seized at around midday local time, EU Navfor confirmed, according to LloydsList, but local reports said the attack happened around 08h25 Seychelles time, which is 07h25 East Africa Time and 04h25 UTC=GMT.

The hijacking happened 550 nautical miles (1,000 kilometres) northeast of the Seychelles and 700 nautical miles off the east coast of Somalia.

"On indication of an attack an EU NAVFOR Maritime Patrol Aircraft, operating from the Seychelles was launched to investigate the incident," the EU naval mission said in a statement from its headquarters in Britain.

The ship was not registered with the Horn of Africa Maritime Security Centre, the statement said.

ECOTERRA Intl. obtained the coordinates for the far out attack: 01°53'N and 60°05'E, which is about half-way between the Seychelles and the Maledives and stated taht it is the first time pirates have boarded a merchant vessel east of the 60th meridian, between the Seychelles and the Maldives archipelagos.

A total of 146 people are aboard the Chinese bulk carrier, among them 25 are Chinese, John Harbour - spokesperson of the EU naval force - told Xinhua on phone.

Harbour said it was unclear where the China-flagged carrier was heading but stated that the commander of the EU naval force is monitoring the situation.

To maritime observers it is unclear why the Chinese vessel carries so many people, but rumours from Mogadishu indicate that the vessel might be a transport for a Chinese project in Somalia. Infamous for using prisoners, Chinese projects in Africa have been involved in many incidences.

A scenario is creeping up whereby the Chinese vessel - while being commandeered to the Somali coast - develops problems, which would provide time for the Chinese navy to catch up - a situation the Chinese marine commandos have been waiting for.

However, the Chinese government also would have a chance to proof that these days human rights do play a role for China and could opt to safeguard the lives of innocent seafarers as well as the other passengers, which certainly would be at stake with any military operation.

The EU NAVFOR Maritine Patrol Aircraft has meanwhile located the ship and has seen pirates on board as well as some small boats (skiffs) that were used in the pirate attacks.

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