BITU GULF
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Last hostages of tanker captured in 2010 released
On Oct 30, 2014, Somali pirates have released seven Indians held as hostages in Harardere district after being abducted in Somalia in Sept 2010. The pirates kidnapped the "Asphalt Venture" with its crew of 15. The vessel and eight of the crew members were released in April 2011 after the then owners, Bitumen Invest of Norway, paid a ransom of $3.6 million. But seven crew members stayed in captivity. Now they were freed and flown from Dusamareb airport to Mogadishu. The hostages were released after an initiative by the Somali government, but there were also unconfirmed reports that a ransom was paid. The releasе of the seven seafarers decreased the number of hostages in Somalia to some 33. The tanker was later renamed "Bitu Gulf" an sank in the South China Sea on Jan 20.
Sunken tanker was hijack victim
All 16 crew members have been rescued from the "Bitu Gulf" off Phang Rang in Vietnamese waters on Jan 20. The Evergreen containership "Ever Summit" (IMO:9300453) whilst coming from Shenzen picked up the crew two hours after the distress call. The "Ever Summit"'s captain and crew located the lifeboat about 40 nautical miles off Vietnam, took the crew on board and was taking them to Malaysia. The tanker was carrying bitumen when sinking. The former "Asphalt Venture" was released by Somali pirates in 2011. Seven crew were still being held in Somalia from that hijacking.
Sank in South China Sea
Bitumen tanker Bitu Gulf sank in South China Sea on Jan 20 14 some 49 nautical miles southeast of Phang Rang, Vitenam, 145 miles NE of Vung Tau. Vessel was en route from Singapore to Quy Nhon, Vietnam. Reason unknown, but vessel was already in trouble on Jan 18, judging from AIS data vessel’s speed in the evening Jan 18 was 3 knots. “Flooding” is mentioned. 16 crew rescued by boxship Ever Summit (IMO:9300453) to be disembarked in Malaysia. Maritime Bulletin.
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