Pirates attack 6,500-TEU Hanjin Tianjin, but Korean destroyer scares them off

THE 6,500-TEU Hanjin Tianjin has been attacked, but was promptly rescued by the South Korean destroyer Choi Young ("invincible spirit") in the Indian Ocean near the Gulf of Aden.


The 4,500-ton destroyer had already rescued a South Korean chemical carrier in January after the vessel, which had 21 crew, was hijacked by Somali pirates, reported Bloomberg. Five pirates captured in January await trial in South Korea.


The Hanjin Tianjin, with 20 crew, was attacked 250 miles (402 kilometres) east of the Yemeni island of Socotra before dawn.


Pirates find faster containerships with their high freeboard are harder to take than the low and slow bulkers and tankers, but a several have been taken, raising concerns and insurance costs as well as erasing savings through slow steaming ships speed up to avoid capture.


An increase in pirate attacks, spurred by a 36-fold jump in ransoms in five years, has threatened vessels carrying 20 per cent of world trade and raised expenses for shippers. Costs linked to piracy may reach US$13 billion to $15 billion by 2015 as global trade rebounds and pirates operate over wider areas, according to consultants Geopolicity Inc.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)