Indian seafarer shot dead by pirates

Security experts have feared that the increased use of force by naval patrols could generate a backlash which would result in more frequent resort to violence on the part of the Somalis, and have counselled restrained responses to piracy outrages.

However, the circumstances of the latest death remain uncertain, although it seems to have taken place after the payment of a ransom.

India’s Directorate of Shipping said in a press statement released on Sunday:

“Pirates shot dead Sudhir Suman on board the Sea Princess II while his colleague Kamal Singh sustained bullet injuries.

"Suma’s body was thrown into the sea by the pirates on April 26.”

The ship has since been released and arrived safely in Aden on May 6, the statement added.

Independent confirmation was not immediately available.

In 2007, a crew member of a Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel was murdered, apparently in retaliation for the reluctance of the owner to pay the ransom demanded.

Last year, the Russian master of Ukrainian ro-ro Faina succumbed to a heart attack after his ship was hijacked.

Meanwhile, Somali pirates have claimed that they were paid US$2m to release Malaspina Castle, a handysize dry bulk carrier operated from Britain.

The 21,173 dwt, 1981-built vessel was freed on Saturday after being captured in early April.

She is operated by Wimbledon-based Navalmar (UK), which told Lloyd’s List that while it could confirm the release, it acted as technical manager only and had no further details.

The release of the Panama-flagged Malaspina Castle, which is classed by Rina and insured through American Steamship, came a day before the 46,941 dwt product tanker NS Spirit successfully evaded an attack in the Gulf of Aden.

Separately, a Spanish Navy warship has reportedly captured seven suspected pirates after an attack on 2008-built, 75,181 dwt bulk carrier Anny Petrakis.