Shabelle Media Network (Mogadishu)
23 August 2008
Tehran — The managing-director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) said: We are trying to secure the release the crew of the vessel that was hijacked in Somali coast.
Mohammad Hussein Dajmar confirmed international news reports and said: Somali pirates hijacked an Iranian ship carrying 40,000 tons of iron ore.
He said that there were more than 20 sailors on the ship and added: An armed group hijacked the Iranian ship together with a number of non-Iranian ships.
Talking about the destination and departure port of the ship, the managing-director of the IRISL said: The abovementioned ship was carrying 40,000 tons of iron ore from China to the Netherlands when it was hijacked off the Somali coast.
Asked if the pirates have raised any demand for releasing the sailors, he said: No demands have been made in this regard. We have made some efforts through diplomatic means and the (Iranian) foreign ministry.
Asked if the Somali government has taken any action to secure the release of the Iranian sailors, Dajmar said: Somalia has no particular government to pursue the case, but we are trying to secure the release of the sailors through diplomatic means.
The IRISL official said that the Iranian sailors are safe and sound.
He added: There are some insecure places around the world, such as the Somali coast.
Dajmar said that the ship and sailor are insured and added: At the moment, the most important issue is the safety of the Iranian sailors and we are taking the necessary steps in this regard.
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