And in an international incident 7NEWS understands that Belize’s international ship registry, IMMARBE is cooperating with international authorities to help free a Ukrainian vessel, the “Faina” cargo ship seized by pirates about two hundred miles off the coast of Somalia. The ship a registered Belizean vessel since April twenty fifth, 2003 carried thirty three Russian T72 tanks when it is believed Somali pirates in three speed boats surrounded the vessel, stormed onboard and took control of the ship and its crew of twenty one.
According to IMMARBE Director General Angelo Mouzouropoulos the ship’s cargo is lawful and it does comply with all international agreements. There is no word tonight on the whereabouts of the ship. International reports state that the cargo was being shipped from the Ukraine to Kenya when it was jacked on the high seas.
The information is that the waters off Somalia’s coast have become a global security problem as piracy is widespread. UN officials state that pirates can earn in excess of one hundred million dollars from hijacking ships. To address the problem international reports are that a number of naval vessels and aircraft have been dispatched to the area. Presently IMMARBE has well over nine hundred ships that have been registered to fly the Belize flag.
