Nairobi: Somali pirates are demanding $20,000 for the return of an Indian-flagged merchant ship and its crew, officials said on Thursday.
The pirates, armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenades, seized the MV Nimatullah and its 14-member crew off the coast of Mogadishu on early Monday.
The pirates had originally demanded $40,000, but scaled down their demand based on their valuation of the ship's cargo, said Andrew Mwangura, head of the Kenyan chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme.
The British-based International Maritime Bureau warned yesterday there had been a marked increase in pirate attacks in Somali waters.
"Vessels are advised to steer well clear of Somalian waters at all times and only approach once full clearance to enter the port has been received," the organisation said in a statement posted on their web site.
The MV Nimatullah was carrying more than 800 tons of cargo, including cooking oil, second hand clothing and rice.
It is being held at coastal town of Harardheere, a pirate stronghold 400 km north of the capital, Mwangura said.
Mwangura expressed concern over the crew, all of whom are south Asians, and cargo's intended recipients.
The ship's Dubai-based owner, Issa Bhata, could not be reached for comment.
Mwangura added that another ship, MV Nishan, was attacked close to Mogadishu seaport by pirates on Tuesday, but managed to escape.
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