The Indian Navy has intercepted a hijacked cargo ship suspected of being used by Somali pirates as a base for raids on other vessels, a spokesman said on Saturday.
The pirates were aboard the MV Ruen, a Malta-flagged bulk cargo vessel that was taken off the coast of Somalia in December.
During a 40-hour operation, the Indian navy said it intercepted the MV Ruen approximately 482km east of Somalia.
The navy sent the INS Kolkata and a drone to confirm the presence of armed pirates, who shot the drone down and fired at the Indian naval warship.
In response INS Kolkata disabled the ship's steering system and navigational tools, forcing the pirate vessel to stop, the Indian navy said.
Indian marine commandos were flown to the area on Saturday afternoon and were air dropped on to the MV Ruen.
The Indian navy said later the same day that all 35 Somali pirates surrendered and all 17 crew members of the MV Ruen were safely evacuated from the vessel without any injury.
The navy searched the vessel for illegal arms, ammunition and contraband, and said its 37,800 tonnes of cargo, thought to be worth $1 million, will be brought to India.
Pirates may have used the Ruen in the takeover of a Bangladesh-flagged cargo ship, the Abdullah, off the coast of Somalia on Tuesday, the European Union naval force said.
Somali pirates caused disruption in waterways for a decade leading up to 2018, but had been quiet until a resurgence of attacks starting late last year.
The recent spate of attempted hijackings coincided with attacks on commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea by Yemen's Houthi militia, who say their campaign is a response to Israel's war on Gaza.
If confirmed, the attack on the Abdullah from a hijacked ship would mark a return to a strategy used when pirates were very active.
The Ruen was seen sailing eastward 160 nautical miles (296km) south-east of Eyl, Somalia, the British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Thursday.
Ambrey said it was suspected the vessel may be “used as a mother ship to conduct further attacks on merchant vessels” and advised other vessels in the area to increase vigilance.
The capture of the Ruen was the first successful hijacking involving Somali pirates since 2017, when international navies stopped attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.
Ransom for the Ruen's kidnapped crew has not been paid, Ambrey said. Media reports said the pirates are holding 17 crew after releasing one for medical reasons.
Data from the Maritime Security Centre – Horn of Africa, the planning and co-ordination centre for EU NAVFOR, show there have been more than 20 hijackings or attempted hijackings of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin since November.
With reporting from agencies.
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20IPHONE%2015%20PRO%20MAX
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Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK) v Rey Nacionales (PHI)
Lightweight
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Leandro Martins (BRA) v Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW)
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Ahmad Labban (LEB) v Sofiane Benchohra (ALG)
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Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR)
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Simon Waldman: Cautious Israel keeping a low profile
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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The%20Genius%20of%20Their%20Age
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National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
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Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
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SPEC%20SHEET
Important questions to consider
1. Where on the plane does my pet travel?
There are different types of travel available for pets:
- Manifest cargo
- Excess luggage in the hold
- Excess luggage in the cabin
Each option is safe. The feasibility of each option is based on the size and breed of your pet, the airline they are traveling on and country they are travelling to.
2. What is the difference between my pet traveling as manifest cargo or as excess luggage?
If traveling as manifest cargo, your pet is traveling in the front hold of the plane and can travel with or without you being on the same plane. The cost of your pets travel is based on volumetric weight, in other words, the size of their travel crate.
If traveling as excess luggage, your pet will be in the rear hold of the plane and must be traveling under the ticket of a human passenger. The cost of your pets travel is based on the actual (combined) weight of your pet in their crate.
3. What happens when my pet arrives in the country they are traveling to?
As soon as the flight arrives, your pet will be taken from the plane straight to the airport terminal.
If your pet is traveling as excess luggage, they will taken to the oversized luggage area in the arrival hall. Once you clear passport control, you will be able to collect them at the same time as your normal luggage. As you exit the airport via the ‘something to declare’ customs channel you will be asked to present your pets travel paperwork to the customs official and / or the vet on duty.
If your pet is traveling as manifest cargo, they will be taken to the Animal Reception Centre. There, their documentation will be reviewed by the staff of the ARC to ensure all is in order. At the same time, relevant customs formalities will be completed by staff based at the arriving airport.
4. How long does the travel paperwork and other travel preparations take?
This depends entirely on the location that your pet is traveling to. Your pet relocation compnay will provide you with an accurate timeline of how long the relevant preparations will take and at what point in the process the various steps must be taken.
In some cases they can get your pet ‘travel ready’ in a few days. In others it can be up to six months or more.
5. What vaccinations does my pet need to travel?
Regardless of where your pet is traveling, they will need certain vaccinations. The exact vaccinations they need are entirely dependent on the location they are traveling to. The one vaccination that is mandatory for every country your pet may travel to is a rabies vaccination.
Other vaccinations may also be necessary. These will be advised to you as relevant. In every situation, it is essential to keep your vaccinations current and to not miss a due date, even by one day. To do so could severely hinder your pets travel plans.
Source: Pawsome Pets UAE
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
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World Mental Health Day
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Trailblazer
Price, base / as tested Dh99,000 / Dh132,000
Engine 3.6L V6
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power 275hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 350Nm @ 3,700rpm
Fuel economy combined 12.2L / 100km