I REFER to your report stating that one of the two Malaysian ships hijacked off the coast of Somalia, the MT Bunga Melati Lima, has been released by the hijackers after payment of a ransom of US$2 million (RM6.8 million).

As an ex-seafarer, I am greatly relieved to hear of this positive development.
I wish to compliment all those responsible in making this release possible and pray that the other hijacked vessel, the MT Bunga Melati Dua, hijacked on Aug 19, will also be released soon.

The Gulf of Aden is the most economically accepted route for vessels heading towards and coming from the Suez Canal on their way to and from Europe, and is used by almost 20,000 ships annually.

Now that the pirates are getting more bold in their actions (15 ships under their detention in total and increasing daily), it is imperative that new coordinated naval measures be formulated by the international community to counter their activities.

A solution would be for merchant ships passing the area to schedule their movements and sail in a convoy while escorted by naval vessels. For now, this appears to be the only viable way to secure safe passage of merchant ships.

CAPT ABDUL AZIZ ABDULLAH, Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – September 30, 2008