by David Sexton
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Europe's counter piracy force, EU Navfor, said in a statement the owners of the vessel reported they had received an automatically released distress signal suggesting the vessel was likely to be under pirate attack.
The Danish warship Esbern Snare operating under Nato command and tasked to counter piracy duties was dispatched to intercept and investigate.
In the early hours of 11 October the ship's captain made contact with the Danish warship, confirming pirates were now in command.
French warship Floreal, under EU Navfor command, is now observing the pirated vessel which is currently 170 nautical miles south of Mogadishu, the Somali capital.
The Izumi is understood to have a 20,170 dwt and a crew of 20, all Filipinos.
Several vessels with the name of Izumi, either in full or in part, are listed in Equasis. The vessel listed with a 20,710 dwt is owned by DIA SA and is managed by Fair Field Shipping of Tokyo. The vessel has P&I cover from Japan Ship Owners' P&I Association.
Source: Lloyd's List