EU maritime force deploys warship near MV Abdullah

European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) has deployed a warship near the hijacked Bangladeshi-flagged vessel MV Abdullah.

The maritime security force announced that the vessel's deployment under its anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta in a post on X around 12:30am on Friday.

On Friday, a video was also posted on EUNAVFOR's official X handle, which showed that its warship was positioned close to MV Abdullah. A helicopter was also seen hovering around the hijacked cargo ship.

It said that it has been monitoring the Bangladeshi-flagged ship since it was hijacked on Mar 12.

According to a report attached to the post, as many as 24 vessels have been hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since Nov 24, 2023.

MV Abdullah was hijacked on March 12 with 23 Bangladeshi sailors on board.

The ship had set sail for the United Arab Emirates from Mozambique's Maputo port, carrying coal along the Indian Ocean. Once it was hijacked, the vessel reached the coast of Somalia on March 14 under the control of the pirates. Its location has since changed.

The owner, SR Shipping, a subsidiary of the Kabir Group, has reached out to various media outlets seeking assistance in securing the safe return of the ship and its crew.

The fate of the 23 crew members still remains uncertain even though they are safe till filing the report.

Earlier, Bangladesh government has not responded to an offer of assistance from the European Union's anti-piracy operation, "Atalanta".

Maritime experts warn that a military operation in Somali waters could be disastrous.

The ship's owner, Kabir Group, prioritises the crew's safety and firmly rejects any military intervention.