The Indian Navy successfully securing the hijacked cargo ship ‘MV Lila Norfolk’ near the coast of Somalia recently has won accolades from the Indian ship management industry. Also, Indian maritime stalwarts have praised the seafarers’ proactive actions that prevented the abduction of any hostages onboard the hijacked vessel.
“In a display of remarkable professionalism, the Indian Navy successfully rescued Indian seafarers recently from a vessel that had fallen victim to Somali pirates,” said Capt Vinay Singh, a high-ranking executive of Hong Kong-based Anglo-Eastern Group – one of the largest employers of Indian seafarers. “This intervention not only saved lives but also served as a deterrent against future acts of piracy. The Indian Navy’s swift response to the distress call and their subsequent rescue mission showcased the Navy’s preparedness and commitment to maritime security”.
“The professionalism and quick thinking of seafarers, who were primarily Indian (15 out of 21), deserves commendation,” he added. “Their prompt action to seek refuge in the vessel’s secure citadel played a crucial role in thwarting the pirates’ efforts to take the hijacked ship to Somalia.”
‘Citadels’ are highly secured rooms that are strategically positioned within ships and provide a safe haven, equipped with essential survival resources, communication capabilities and limited remote control of ship operations. The seafarers’ vigilance and swift response enabled them to seek shelter in the citadel in a timely manner, ensuring their safety.
“With strategic international waterways within easy reach and allegiances in Hamas-Israel conflict being sworn based on beliefs and the sheer ruthlessness with scant regard for human rights, the ongoing fight has certainly impacted the global geo-political stage,” commented Capt Shiv Halbe, CEO, Maritime Association of Ship-owners, Ship-managers & Agents (MASSA). “Taking advantage of the situation, the Somali pirates also became active again. A scourge that was believed to have been curtailed and controlled, reared its head once again.”
The Indian navy was called upon to display its prowess as a true Blue Water force. On 4 January 2023, MV Lila Norfolk, a bulk carrier en route to Persian Gulf was hijacked by Somali pirates about 450 miles from the coast, in the Arabian Sea. Upon being alerted, the Directorate General of Shipping, concerned Ministries and Indian Navy came together and following due processes, ‘rescued’ the vessel within 24 hours of being hijacked.
“MASSA praises the Indian Navy and all the participants, who ensured the success of the Operation,” added Capt Halbe. “Also, we laud the timely action of seafarers on-board the MV Lila Norfolk too, for following the correct procedures, when under threat, and giving a chance to the Indian Navy to effect a successful rescue. Such actions not only act as a deterrent but also are a great morale booster for the hapless seafarers, who otherwise are left to fend for themselves in times of such crisis”.
A crucial corridor
The continued attacks on the merchant navy ships by militants, rebels and pirates in the Red Sea corridor might hit the Indian exports by 7 per cent, as estimated by the experts, although the government of India till-date has not released any official estimates on the impact of the Red Sea crisis on Indian exports. For India, the Red Sea corridor is a major sea route for shipping to markets like Europe, the US East Coast, the Middle East and African countries.
The number of ships passing through the Suez Canal is down by about 44 per cent in the last one month and the spot rate for shipping goods in a 40-ft container from Asia to northern Europe now is priced at $4,000 – a 175 per cent increase in the past 30 days. Rates from Asia to North America’s East Coast have also gone up by about 60 per cent to $4,000 for a 40-ft container.
Indian Navy has now positioned over 10 warships with the marine commandos in a strategic manner in a wide maritime corridor, extending from the north and central Arabian Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Defence minister Rajnath Singh has issued a warning to the pirates, militants and rebel-group threatening cargo ships in the Indian Ocean Region, stating that India will track down those behind the drone attacks on India-bound commercial ships ‘even from the depths of seas’ and take tough action against them.
Anglo Eastern Group, along with India’s leading shipping association MASSA have expressed gratitude to the government of India for such an extra-ordinary and enhanced maritime security operations undertaken by Indian Navy to protect Indian seafarers from the drone and piracy attacks in the Red Sea corridor.