China mulls rescue operation
- Source: Global Times
- [09:11 October 21 2009]
- Comments
Somali pirates typically force the ships to land in Somalia before trying to negotiate a ransom with companies that own the carriers.
The pirates began frequently invading passing ships in June of last year.
Between January and November of 2008, 83 out of 1,265 Chinese vessels passing through the Gulf of Aden were attacked by Somali pirates, though most of them fled safely by fending off the pirates with water hoses and self-made weapons, according to the Ministry of Transport.
However, two Chinese ships, the Dajian and Tianyu No. 8, were separately seized by Somali pirates off the coast of Somalia and Kenya last year. It took the Chinese side three months to negotiate with the pirates to get the Tianyu and its crew back, and it cost $3.4 million to save the Dajian.
A press officer surnamed Sun of Qingdao Ocean Shipping, which owns the Dexinhai, said the route is a regular one the company uses to transport coal and ore.
Official statistics indicate that China owns a 5 to 10 percent market share of the international freight market.
According to non-governmental observer Ecoterra International, at least 179 attacks have been carried out by Somali pirates this year, and 52 of them were successful, AFP reported.
Deng Jingyin, Zhang Han and Liang Chen contributed to this story
POLL&DISCUSSION: What measures should be taken to combat Somalia's pirates?
