TALLINN - Pirates have hijacked a cargo ship near Somalia with one Estonian mate onboard, and according to preliminary information they are demanding a ransom of up to 1 million dollars (646,000 euros).
Somali pirates took control of the cargo ship, named MV Lehmann Timber, on May 28. Representatives of the company that owns Lehmann Timber said there were 15 men onboard.
The International Maritime Bureau published a message that came from a ship near Lehmann at the moment of hijacking reading: "The cargo ship 'Lehmann Timber' has been attacked by four heavily armed pirates in a speedboat. At the moment the ship has reduced its speed and the radio connection has been lost."
"We have not been able to get in touch with the ship's owner," Cyrus Mody, manager of the International Maritime Bureau told TBT.
It's known that the ship is somewhere in Somali waters, but the exact location cannot be determined.
The exact amount of the ransom is also unknown, but it's estimated that it could be up to 1 million dollars. In most previous cases the ransom has been paid. This has encouraged pirates to attack more vessels.
"It is a double edge sword. If it's not [paid] it could compromise the safety of the crew," said Mody.
The Somali government has publicly criticized Western companies for paying the ransom. The government said it only encourages pirates.
The ship is owned by a German company, but sails under Gibraltar's flag with a multi-national crew 's the captain was Russian and most on board were Ukrainian, Burmese and Estonian crew members.
Gustav Jakobsen, a representative of the Lehmann, told Die Welt that the company is doing everything it can to get its people free.
"We're working with the crisis team day and night to set these people free," he said.
Jakobsen didn't say much about the talks with the pirates in order to avoid provoking them, but he did say that they've been in touch with the crew and the hostages are doing fine.
The situation is also being handled by the German army and Foreign Ministry. The German army has sent one ship to the area. The Estonian Foreign Ministry is staying in touch with those working to free the prisoners.
A hijacking scheme is fairly straightforward 's pirates take the vessel over, anchor it close to their stronghold and demand ransom for the people and goods onboard.
According to IMB Piracy Reporting Center, 31 attacks were reported in Somali waters last year, but many more may have been left unreported. One of the most popular shipping routes in the region runs parallel to the Somali coast and is a prime area for pirate attacks.
The International Sea Organization has issued a warning to ships in the area, saying that pirates use automatic guns and grenades to attack the boats. Since May 19 there have been six attacks on vessels in the area, including two hijackings.
There has been a German Defense Forces frigate tasked with hindering arms sales to terrorists in operation for six years, but the ship cannot enter Somalia waters without permission.
