M/V Faina to be released by pirates

As I mentioned last Wed., Nov. 26, the ransom for the Faina had been dropped to $3 million U.S.

Today it is to be released. No ransom amount given. From the BBC

Gunmen seized the Kenya-bound MV Faina, carrying 33 tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition, on 24 September.

A pirate spokesman said releasing the ship was "a matter of time", but gave no details of a ransom payment.

I think by now the pirates just want to get rid of this ship. Besides, they are catching much bigger fish these days, having recently captured the oil tanker Sirius Star.

Are pirates tipped off?

Apparently, the pirates themselves have confirmed they are being tipped off.

From Lloyd's List article (regarding hijacking of the oil tanker Sirius Star)

“We had to bear many expenses to hijack it and $500,000 was paid for information and expenses for the people who hijack ships,” said the 35-year old pirate, who identified himself as Jami Adam.

“We have countries that give us information about the ships in the sea, if there are commercial ships sailing our way,” he told the Arabic newspaper.

Asked how the pirates followed these ships, he replied that they had “collaborators” who provided information on vessel movements.

There is some speculation the pirates were tipped off about the Faina, the ship carrying tanks and arms with the questionable destination.

Personally, I always wondered if someone tipped them off regarding the M/V Faina. There are several parties who would have reason to do so; Russia, the CIA, various factions in Somali and Kenya.

On a lighter note, even the famous Scott Adams (author of the cartoon strip Dilbert) is writing about the pirates capturing the oil tanker.

Pirate Update - Faina runs out of food and water, and the pirates take an oil tanker

According to Russia Today, the crew of M/V Faina has sent a letter informing they have run out of food and water.

I suspect the Faina will be sitting there for a long time. No one wants to claim the cargo. Maybe the pirates will eventually give up. Especially since today they managed to hijack a Saudi oil tanker, the Sirius Star

The Sirius Star, which was commissioned in March and is owned by the Saudi oil company Aramco, is classed as a Very Large Crude Carrier, the second-largest classification. It was sailing under a Liberian flag and its crew includes citizens of Croatia, Britain, the Philippines, Poland and Saudi Arabia. A British Foreign Office spokesman said there were at least two British nationals on board.

This really is turning into a David vs Goliath. I think the pirates are now doing it for sport, as much as for the money.