A gang using two skiffstargeted and boarded the 57,000-dwt Torm Kristina (built 1999) as it headed forMuscat on Saturday night.
Crew members mustered in thecitadel and awaited the arrival of an EU warship.
According to NATO pirates arethought to have left the vessel after seeing the approach of the HDMS IverHuitfeldt.
Successful boardings andhijackings are now rare off Somalia, where the use of armed guards, navypatrols and anti-piracy protection on ships has made life difficult for pirates.
It is not yet clear if the TormKristina was carrying a security team and attempts to reach both the owner andNATO for clarification were not immediately successful.
Vice Admiral ChristianCanova, Deputy Commander at Allied Maritime Command said: “Despite the winter monsoonwhich generates bad sea states, this incident demonstrates the pirates arestill active and able to operate far away from Somalia but we are watching themand when best management practices such as citadels are in effect on merchantvessels, we are able to react quickly and deter pirate actions.”
The Torm Kristina was en routeto Muscat when the attack took place.
