MV Almezaan

The MV Almezaan is a general cargo vessel active off the Horn of Africa.[1] Originally built as the Tarcau, she was renamed in November 2001. The name can be translated from Arabic as "the balance" or "the scales" as well as justice and equity.

History
Name: MV Almezaan
Owner: Shahmir Maritime, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Operator: Biyat International, Dubai, UAE
Port of registry: Panama
Route: Dubai to Mogadishu
Launched: 1979
Notes: IMO number: 7906710
General characteristics
Tonnage: 2886 dwt
Length: 89 meters
Beam: 13 meters
Crew: 17

Pirate attacks

The vessel has been attacked three times by Somali pirates. The first attack and capture was 1 May 2009, when the vessel, said to be taking wheat and used vehicles to Mogadishu, was captured and taken to Harardhere. It was released on 6 May 2009, reportedly without a ransom being paid and after it was confirmed that it had been hired by a local trader.[2]

The second attack was 8 November 2009. The ship was held off Garacad and released on 19 November 2009, after a ransom of $15,000 was paid.[3] The ship was believed to be carrying small arms, ammunition, rockets, and rocket-propelled grenades,[4][5] as well as armoured vehicles, but this was later denied by the owners.

The ship was again attacked on 20 March 2010, while on its way to Mogadishu. The attack was repelled by a private security guard convoy, and one pirate was killed.[6] Six suspected pirates were captured by Navfor the same day, but released after the master and crew of the Almezaan refused to testify.[7][8]

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References
  1. Hansen, Ken (2010). "Armed Security Guards Kill Pirate in Shootout". Canadian Naval Review (Winter). Archived from the original on 19 March 2009. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  2. "Pirates Mistakenly Rush Military Ship". AOL Canada. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  3. Houreld, Katherine (25 March 2010). "Navy frees Somalis seized after pirate shooting". Associated Press.
  4. "FACTBOX-Ships held by Somali pirates". Reuters. 3 December 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  5. "Arming Somalia; the dangers for mariners". Idarat Maritime. 13 November 2009. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
  6. "'Pirate' dies as ship's guards repel attack off Somalia". BBC News Online. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  7. "EU force frees Somali 'pirates'". BBC News. 25 March 2010.
  8. Cowell, Alan (25 March 2010). "Pirate Suspects Are Released by Naval Force". The New York Times.
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