Hijacked Indonesian-Flagged Tanker Found
The missing Indonesia-flagged tanker Srikandi 515 has been identified and located at approximately 9 nm off Narathiwat province, Thailand by the Royal Thai Navy and Thai Marine Police, anti-piracy watchdog ReCAAP reported in an update on November 27.
Thai authorities also apprehended eight perpetrators onboard Srikandi 515, which was reportedly repainted and renamed from “Srikandi 515” to “Chong Li 2”.
The palm oil cargo onboard the vessel was apparently left intact. The vessel was subsequently escorted back to Songkhla, Thailand for further investigation, the update reads.
ReCAAP said that investigation of the incident is currently ongoing, adding that ReCAAP ISC is working closely with the ReCAAP Focal Point (Thailand) to establish what had transpired onboard Srikandi 515 between 9 Oct 14 and 27 Nov 14.
Eleven crew members of the hijacked product tanker were found in lifeboats by Malaysian fishermen at the end of October.
The tanker loaded with 3,100 tonnes of palm oil was hijacked while transiting the Sampit shipping channel on October 9.
However, the vessel hadn’t reached its expected destination and was reported missing.
Srikandi 515, owned by Lima Srikandi Jaya, departed Sampit, Kalimantan Tengah, on October 8 bound for Gresik, East Java, Indonesia.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: Royal Thai Navy
