Pirates have damaged a Greek bulk carrier after becoming frustrated at their failure to hijack the vessel off the coast of Somalia.
Crew from the 45,700-dwt Go Trader (built 1996) also found some of their possessions had been stolen after emerging from a citadel which had sheltered them during the weekend hit.
Pirate gunfire has left holes in the bridge windows and superstructure of the Evalend Shipping managed vessel, TradeWinds is told.
Navigational equipment onboard the ship was also destroyed as the gang “caused a right mess” while the crew sought refuge in the citadel.
It is understood the master has still been able to continue the ship’s passage despite the damage caused during Saturday’s attack.
As TradeWinds reported yesterday the Go Trader was boarded by armed pirates off Somalia this weekend.
The gang remained onboard for a couple of hours but left after failing to gain full control of the vessel.
“Before they left the ship, the frustrated pirates caused a significant amount of damage to the bridge and crew’s living quarters,” said a statement from NATO.
None of the 24 crew members onboard the bulker were injured during the attack which occurred around 280 miles south-east of the Omani port of Salalah.
The Go Trader is owned by Greece’s Global Oceanic Carriers but listed on numerous databases as managed by Athens-based Evalend Shipping.
Evalend had its 13,000-dwt chemical tanker Motivator (built 2007) snatched by pirates in the Red Sea on 4 July. The Marshall Islands-flagged ship, which has 18 crew onboard, is being held around the tip of the Horn of Africa.(Copyright)
