KSRM starts informal talks with pirates to rescue hijacked ship MV Abdullah

KSRM authorities, owner of the hijacked Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship MV Abdullah, have initiated informal talks with Somali pirates through a third party as part of their move to begin formal negotiations to rescue the 23 crew members as well as the ship.

Somali pirates hijacked the ship with 23 crew members on board on March 12 when it was sailing from Maputo in Mozambique to Al Hamriyah in the UAE with 58,000 tonnes of coal, reports BSS.

"Informal talk is going on . . . it will take time to begin formal negotiation with the pirates," said Mizanul Islam, media advisor of KSRM Group that owns the ship MV Abdullah.

On March 20, KSRM was able to contact the Somali pirates through a third party after the pirates took control of the ship on March 12.

Talking to BSS, Mizanul said it is still a good news that the crew members are safe and in good health.

"We are hopeful regarding solving the crisis through discussion," he added.