The Panama – flagged MV LEILA, owned by the United Arab Emirates which pirates hijacked weeks ago, has resumed movement as a mother ship. Sources among pirates and Puntland officials confirmed to Somalia Report that the vessel was moved from Hobyo area.
Pirates returned to sea with MV LEILA as a mother ship with an additional number of pirates from Galhagoog area.
“MV LEILA hijackers left Hobyo with the vessel. They are using it as a mother ship,” a pirate in Hobyo told Somalia Report.
“The pirates took some more pirates from Hobyo and some materials including motors for their speed boats before leaving Galhagoog. Now they are moving out of Hobyo,” he added.
MV LIELA is laden with goods owned by Somaliland businessmen. Somaliland officials and businessmen told local media that the vessel was hijacked by pirates from Puntland region.
Puntland’s minister for Sea Transport and Ports Eng. Said Mohamed Raage, responded that they are aware of the incident including the location and movements of the vessel. He also affirmed that the vessel is currently moving as a mother ship.
The inexperienced group of pirates who hijacked MV LEILA have attempted to resume similar operations but failed in two other attempts at hijacking.
Pirates previously returned to Hobyo on Friday. They later spent a few days in Galhagoog before returning to sea on Tuesday.
“They took some experienced pirates from Galhagoog , because it is the group’s first time to plan a hijacking operation. They aim to get a foreign vessel,” said a pirate based in Hobyo.
“This happens sometimes. To hijack a vessel, one needs well experienced pirates who know where they can get vessels, how to launch their attacks and luck counts too. Some hijackers are lucky and succeed in their first attempt,” added the pirate man.
MV Leila is a Panama-flagged Ro/Ro vessel whose last known position was 16.47N-056.15E, the eastern entrance to the Gulf of Aden, on course of 260 at 4 knots, according to the Maritime Security Center Horn of Africa (MSCHOA).
The vessel was built in 1973 and is owned and operated by New Port Cargo & shipping of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.