Pirating of MV Izumi in the Somali Basin

On the afternoon of 10 October, the owners of the Panama-flagged MV Izumi reported that they had received an automatically released distress signal indicating that the vessel was likely to be under pirate attack.

The Danish warship HDMS Esbern Snare of the NATO counter piracy force was dispatched to intercept and investigate.

In the early hours of 11 October the captain of the vessel made contact with the Danish warship, stating that pirates were in charge of the MV Izumi.

EU NAVFOR French warship FS Floreal is now monitoring the pirated vessel which is presently 170 nautical miles South of Mogadishu.

The MV Izumi, deadweight 20,170 tonnes, has a crew of 20, all Filipinos.