The crew is said to be safe
Even as India ruled out offensive action to take back a hijacked merchant vessel that is partially owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) and has 10 Indians on board, Iran entered into negotiations with Somali pirates to secure its release.
The MV Sinin, which is owned by the Irano Hind Shipping Company – a joint venture between Iran and India in which SCI has a 49 percent stake – was hijacked on February 14 off Oman and has been anchored on the Somali coast since. While the vessel is registered in Malta, this is the first time that a ship affiliated with the Indian government has been hijacked by Somali pirates.
Officials from Irano Hind company told The Indian Express that they were in touch with the crew members of the ship. “We have been in touch with them… They are safe, the ship is in Somalia and we are currently in talks with the hijackers,” an official said.
Source: Indian Express