MV FAINA update

Good to hear.

Crewmembers of Faina in satisfactory condition, says ship-owner

KYIV, November 4 /UKRINFORM/. The crewmembers of the Faina, a ship seized by Somali pirates, are in satisfactory condition. Drinking water and food (rice, spaghetti, sunflower oil, and fruit) were delivered to the ship on November 3, according to a press release about talks with the pirates provided by the company that owns the ship, UKRINFORM reported, referring to the Maritime Bulletin - Sovfracht Internet publication.

According to the document, the ship-owner and an intermediary company are making all efforts to complete the talks with the pirates successfully. It is stressed that "the situation requires a weighted approach and a comprehensive decision, involving all interested parties. Steps should be taken according to rules drafted by international practice and ragreement should be reached through a party empowered to hold the talks."

Moreover, the company owning the ship denied reports by the Al-Sharq al-Awsat, an Arabic newspaper being published in London, concerning a new date for the release of the Faina, the sum of a ransom and details about the negotiating process. The newspaper reported that the pirates could free the crew of the vessel for a USD 5 million ransom. According to the whip-owner, "this information does not represent the facts, and it is another attempt to spread misleading reports in the media. An impression arises that all this is being done on purpose to bring nervousness in the settlement process."

The press release reads that the company that owns the ship remains a reliable source of information in the situation, which "has not made and won't make any statements in public about the amount of a ransom and other demands."

As UKRINFORM reported, the Faina, a ship transporting ammunition and other weapons bought by the Defense Ministry of Kenya, was seized by pirates off the coast of Somali on September 25. A total of 17 Ukrainians, two Russians and one Latvian citizen are aboard the ship. The captain of the vessel, a Russian citizen, died of natural causes shortly after the seizure of the Faina.