"KERALA" - Release from Hijacking

27 January 2014

We are the Managers of the vessel "KERALA" (IMO No. 9390927) which was recently hijacked at Angola, Luanda Anchorage.

We are relieved to advise that on Sunday, 26 January 2014 we were able to re-establish contact with the vessel and speak to the Master. All crew members are alive and accounted for, but one is wounded and all have clearly been affected by their ordeal. A large amount of cargo has been stolen.

We lost contact with the vessel on 18 January 2014. We instigated our emergency response procedures and engaged professionals experienced in dealing with these type of incidents to assist us.

It quickly became apparent that we were dealing with a piracy incident and that the vessel had been hijacked. In accordance with good practice, we did not provide detailed press releases whilst the situation was unfolding, but worked alongside the relevant authorities to try to resolve the incident.

We would like to thank the European, North American and other international intelligence agencies who worked with us during this incident, as well as the regional and international navies who dispatched assets to monitor the pirates and provided support and assistance to us.

Representatives of international law enforcement and intelligence agencies that are experienced in dealing with piracy incidents will be attending on board to gather intelligence and forensic evidence from the vessel and crew in order to try to bring to justice those that perpetrated this crime on our vessel and our people.

Communication with "KERALA" has been re-established

Update 2:   Sunday 26 January 2014, 1500 UTC

Communication with "KERALA" has been re-established. All crew are safe and accounted for.

Pirates hijacked the vessel offshore Angola. The pirates stole a large quantity of cargo by STS transfer. The pirates have now disembarked.

Dynacom is committed to the safety of the crew, environment and the vessel and is dealing with the incident in conjunction with the relevant authorities.

Communication has yet to be established with M/T KERALA.

Update 1:   24 January 1300 UTC

Communication has yet to be established with M/T KERALA.

Actions with relevant agencies and authorities are still ongoing to contact the vessel and ascertain her condition.

Dynacom is committed to the safety of the crew, environment and the vessel.

Communication with M/T KERALA has been lost since 18.01.14

It is suspected that pirates have taken control of the vessel but same is not yet confirmed.

Since then, we have taken immediate actions and working together with authorities/ agencies for establishing communication, with the vessel.

Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd. - Press Release