Singapore, Oct 24 (DPA) Pirates have seized a liquefied gas tanker off the coast of Kenya, an official of the Singapore-registered owner said Sunday.
The ship with a mainly Filipino crew of 17 was reportedly en route from Mombas in Kenya to Mahe in the Seychelles when pirates boarded it.
Gerald Lim, a director of the shipowner York Maritime Company, said there was no word on the ship or crew since it put out a distress call Saturday.
Theagenis Sarris, spokesman for the Greek shipping agent, told DPA from Athens Sunday that the vessel was reported to be moving northward toward Somalia.
According to the Singapore Port Authority, the tanker York was seized Saturday about 90 nautical miles from Mombasa.
Pirates are holding nearly 20 ships with a total of nearly 400 hostages, according to the European Union Naval Force Somalia.
Most hijackings end without casualties when a ransom has been paid, but often after several months of negotiations.
