Pirates attack German cargo ship off Omani coast

A German-owned cargo ship, known as the Susan K, was seized by pirates about 35 nautical miles off the coast of Oman, the European Union Naval Force said.

The vessel had six Filipino and four Ukrainian crew members on board when it was attacked and boarded by at least 10 pirates earlier on Friday, the naval force said in an e-mailed statement.

There is no further information about the crew, it said.

The Antigua and Barbuda flagged and German owned vessel was on its way to Port Sudan from Mumbai when it was attacked.

Earlier this week, Sir John Parker, joint vice chairman, DP World, said maritime piracy was an "urgent global priority" that has no quick-fix answers but demands cross-border co-operation between governments and industry.

Addressing a ceremony in London, Parker said piracy cost the shipping industry up to $12bn a year.

He said around 800 mariners were currently held in captivity, many for months.
 

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