IMB seeks info on hijacked ship

IMB seeks info on hijacked ship

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) appealed yesterday for information on a Malaysian gas-oil tanker, the Suci, which was hijacked by six armed pirates and is now believed to be sailing under the name Glory II.

The IMB last Saturday issued an alert to all port authorities in Asia, as well as ships plying the region, to be on the lookout for the 17-year old tanker.

The pirates set 15 of the 17 crew members adrift, but held two engineers when they took over the ship last Tuesday off the Hosburgh Lighthouse, east of Singapore, IMB officials said.

The two crew members were identified as second engineer Tajuddin, and fourth engineer Kadarishmanto Dwijo Hiswoyo, both Indonesians.

The Suci, built in Japan in 1979 and owned by Malaysia-based Reezan Holdings Bhd, was carrying about 3,000 metric tons of gas oil and was believed to be heading for ports in Thailand, Indonesia and southern China.