Natuna Island News

The hijacked oil tanker Orkim Harmony has been released by pirates, who fled in the ship's rescue boat, Malaysian navy and maritime officials said on Friday. The Orkim Harmony, hijacked on June 11 off the Malaysian coast by pirates reportedly armed with pistols and machetes, was now being escorted by the navy to Malaysia's Kuantan Port. Officials said only one member of the 22 crew was injured, suffering a gunshot wound to the thigh. Three Malaysian navy ships and two aircraft were hunting the fleeing pirates. The hijacking is the second seizure of a tanker by pirates in Southeast Asia this month, raising further concerns over piracy in the region.

Primarina Trading Pte Ltd of Singapore reported that one of the company's tugs, Marina 26, was taken by pirates on March 22 off Tioman Island Malaysia. The crew was later left adrift and rescued. The crew reports that the tug had been repainted to green. Primarina Trading is looking for any assistance in locating the tug and its tow which was empty at the time. After taking the Marine 26 tug, the pirates traveled east with the crew held hostage. Then the pirates left the crew on a life raft floating in mid sea.