A month-long saga of captivity comes to an end as MV Abdullah, along with its crew of 23, emerges liberated from the grip of Somali pirates in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean.
Under the cover of night, the sailors embark on their journey to Dubai, their ordeal behind them, signaling a moment of respite for their anxious families.
Families of the sailors breathe a collective sigh of relief upon receiving news of their loved ones’ release, marking the conclusion of an agonizing period of uncertainty.
Rima Akter, wife of Shamsuddin, a welder aboard MV Abdullah, expresses gratitude, stating, “We received a call around 5:30 am (Sunday) informing us of their freedom. The weight of worry has lifted from our shoulders. We owe our thanks to the divine intervention and the shipowner for securing their release.”
Captain Atiq U Khan sheds light on the intricate dynamics of negotiation, revealing insights gleaned from conversations with the sailors post-release. “The ransom, typically divided into three parts, allocates 50% to those orchestrating the hijacking, 40% to backers funding the operation, and the remaining 10% to logistical support and security personnel,” Khan explains.
Mizanul Islam, media advisor for Kabir Group, confirms the crew’s safe return, disclosing, “All sailors, along with the vessel, regained their freedom at 3 am on Saturday. MV Abdullah is en route to Dubai, and the crew is in good health.” Further details will be divulged during a press conference at KSRM’s Agrabad corporate office later today (Sunday).
Although the exact sum exchanged for the sailors’ release remains undisclosed, SR Shipping, a subsidiary of Kabir Group, affirms that MV Abdullah, laden with approximately 55,000 tons of coal, commenced its voyage from Maputo port in Mozambique on March 4, bound for Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates.
The vessel, originally christened Golden Hawk and built in 2016, underwent a change of ownership last year, rechristened as MV Abdullah under SR Shipping’s stewardship, bolstering the company’s fleet of 24 ships. With its robust dimensions of 189.93 meters in length and 32.26 meters in width, MV Abdullah is poised to resume its mission of cargo transport, emblematic of resilience amidst adversity.
