Arctic Sea pirates demanded $1.5m ransom
Armed pirates who seized the Russian cargo ship Arctic Sea in the Baltic Sea threatened to sink the vessel unless they were paid a $1.5 million ransom.
“The crew members have already confirmed that the captors demanded a ransom and threatened to blow up the vessel if their orders were not obeyed,” a spokesperson for the Russian defence ministry said.
Renaissance Insurance, the company that insured the vessel, said the hijackers called them demanding a ransom.
“The person spoke in English, apparently trying to change his voice to avoid being recognised, and introduced himself as a go-between,” said Vladimir Dushin, vice president for security at the Moscow-based insurer.
“They informed us the ship had been seized and threatened to sink it in five days if the amount wasn’t paid,” he added.
The ship was insured by Renaissance for $4 million.
Russia has detained eight suspected hijackers after the Arctic Sea was discovered off the African coast this week. All 15 crew members were unharmed.
The Swedish Shipowner’s Association has warned that the hijacking could cause an “epidemic effect” by encouraging copycat attacks in the Baltic Sea.
Category: Business Insurance News, Insurance News
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