Food Shortage Crisis Looms Aboard Hijacked Ship MV Abdullah

The Bangladeshi hijacked ship, MV Abdullah, is facing imminent food shortages, prompting pirates to ferry provisions from shore to the ship. This development was confirmed by the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, along with the ship's owner and seamen's association, on Wednesday.

At the time of its hijacking on March 12, the ship had a food supply lasting 25 days, but the pirates have been gradually depleting it over the past 16 days. Consequently, the ship's food reserves are dwindling rapidly.

Captain Anam Chowdhury, president of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association, noted that the pirates are bringing food primarily for their own benefit. There are reports that they have delivered dishes resembling Tehari to the MV Abdullah.

This situation echoes a similar incident in 2010 involving the hijacked MV Jahan Moni, where pirates supplied food after the ship's reserves were exhausted. The ship was finally liberated after being held hostage for 100 days. Mohammad Idris, a sailor aboard that ship, recalled that frozen food spoiled due to the malfunctioning refrigerator. As supplies ran out towards the end, pirates resorted to providing food from the shore.

Typically, ships carry sufficient provisions for their voyage's duration and include a buffer for contingencies. However, MV Abdullah, en route from Mozambique to the United Arab Emirates when seized, had limited provisions as the journey was anticipated to last only 15 days.

Mizanul Islam, media advisor of Kabir Group, the ship's owner, assured that the captive sailors are in good health. He emphasized that there is no cause for concern regarding food shortages onboard, as the pirates are ferrying provisions from shore to the ship.