
The MV Sirius Star was a large vessel, with a length of 330 meters and a gross tonnage of 199,000 tons. It was a significant ship, even among other large vessels.
Captured by Somali pirates in 2008, the MV Sirius Star was the largest ship to be hijacked at the time. This incident highlighted the growing problem of piracy in the region.
The ship was carrying a cargo of 2 million barrels of Saudi Arabian crude oil, valued at around $100 million.
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MV Sirius Star Incident
The MV Sirius Star was a Saudi-owned supertanker hijacked by Somali pirates in November.
The ship was carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil, worth $100 million, and was anchored off the coast of Somalia at Haradhere.
A ransom of $3 million was paid by the ship's owner, Saudi Aramco, to secure the release of the vessel and its crew.
The pirates had originally demanded $25 million, but settled for $3 million after negotiations.

The Sirius Star was the biggest ship ever hijacked, measuring 330 meters in length.
The crew of 25, including two British nationals, were unharmed during the ordeal.
However, five pirates drowned while leaving the ship after the ransom was paid, as their boat capsized in rough weather.
The ship was released after a ransom payment was made, and headed to Kenya, where it anchored in deep waters.
A smaller boat took the crew to shore at Mombasa.
The incident highlights the increasing threat of piracy in the region, with Somali pirates stepping up their attacks on ships in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
The international community has responded with increased patrols by warships, including Nato forces and the European Union.
Shipping insurance prices have also soared, with some companies opting for a longer route around South Africa instead of using the Suez canal.
Release and Aftermath
The MV Sirius Star was released by Somali pirates after a ransom payment was made. The ransom was $3 million, significantly less than the $25 million originally demanded.

The pirates left the vessel unharmed, but their departure was marked by tragedy. Five pirates drowned while leaving the ship after their boat capsized in rough weather.
The Sirius Star had been anchored off the coast of Somalia at Haradhere, a coastal town used by pirates, since its hijacking on November 15. The ship was carrying two million barrels of crude oil worth $100 million.
The crew of 25 was unharmed throughout the ordeal. After the money was parachuted in, the pirates left the vessel, and a smaller boat took the crew to shore at Mombasa.
The Sirius Star headed to Kenya after its release and anchored in deep waters.
Somali Pirates Seize Supertanker Off Kenyan Coast
The MV Sirius Star was hijacked by Somali pirates in November, and the situation has finally come to an end.
The pirates, who had been holding two British crew members and 23 others from various countries, claimed to have released the vessel after receiving a $3m ransom.

The Sirius Star is a 300-metre Saudi-owned vessel that was carrying 2m barrels of crude oil, worth over $100m, when it was hijacked.
The pirates had initially wanted more money, but eventually agreed on the final sum.
The ship was moving into safe waters, accompanied by the last batch of gunmen who had disembarked from the vessel.
The crew and passengers were finally free after being held for months, and the ship was steaming out to safe waters.
Shipping insurance prices have skyrocketed due to the increased piracy in the region, and some companies have chosen to take a longer route around South Africa instead of going through the Suez canal.
The international community has been working together to combat piracy in the area, with Nato forces and the first European joint naval operation patrolling the waters.
The Sirius Star was anchored off the coast of Somalia, where it had been held until the ransom was paid.
China sent two destroyers to the area to support the international efforts to combat piracy, marking the first operation of its kind.
The crew's safety was the top priority for Vela International, the Dubai-based shipping arm of Saudi Aramco, which operates the ship.
Sources
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hijack-sirius-star-sarah-craze
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/jan/09/somalia-pirates-supertanker-ransom
- https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/MV_Sirius_Star_oil_tanker_released_by_pirates
- https://www.ogj.com/pipelines-transportation/article/17276184/somali-pirates-release-saudi-tanker-sirius-star
- https://www.mlive.com/news/flint/2008/11/eyl_somali_pirates_seize_super.html
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