TPW Desk : 

There is progress in the negotiations with the Somali pirates

The sailors may not be able to return home before Eid

Relatives are looking for a way in the hope

The 23 sailors of the abducted Bangladeshi ship MV Abdullah will be released at any time, but the ship owners cannot say exactly when they will be released.

They told that there is progress in the negotiations with the Somali pirates, but the sailors may not be able to return home before Eid.

Meanwhile, the relatives are looking for a way in the hope that the sailors will return home before Eid and share the joy of the festivity together. Sources said even if the sailors are released, it is not possible to bring them back to the country before Eid.

Rima Akhtar, wife of Shamsuddin, who is working as a weller on the ship, said: “There is no joy of Eid in our house. I am in a lot of trouble with my three little girls. We are looking for a way to get him back. I am waiting to hear that they have been freed from the pirates. When he (Shamsuddin) comes back to us, there will be Eid joy in our house.”

Shamsuddin’s sister-in-law Badrul Islam said: “He called us after one or two days. We have heard that the sailors are fine now. Although the pirates are on patrol with weapons, the sailors are doing the ship’s regular work. The sailors understand that the pirates are discussing this with the ship owners.”

Ship owner firm Kabir Group media advisor Mizanul Islam told Bangla Tribune that their talks with the pirates were fruitful.

“The sailors can be released from hostages at any time. The timing of their release remains uncertain, potentially occurring either before or after Eid. Following their release, the sailors will return to the country by air after completing all the necessary procedures.

“Later, 23 new people will be given responsibility on that ship. We have prepared a new team of 23 sailors for MV Abdullah,” he added.

Owned by Kabir Group’s SR Shipping, MV Abdullah has about 55,000 tons of coal on board. On March 4, the ship started its journey from the port of Maputo in the African country of Mozambique. It was scheduled to arrive at Hamriyah port in the United Arab Emirates on March 19.

However, the ship fell into the hands of pirates in the Indian Ocean at around 1:30 pm on March 12. Among the total 24 ships under this company, MV Abdullah is the latest addition.

Built in 2016, this bulk carrier has a length of 189.93 metres and a width of 32.26 meters. The draft is a little over 11 metres. Golden Hawk was the name of the ship before SR Shipping bought it last year. After the change of ownership, the name of the ship was also changed to MV Abdullah.