Enrico Levoli, an Italian oil and chemical tanker, was attacked and hijacked by pirates off the coast of the Sultanate on December 27.
The Enrico Ievoli, which was carrying 15,750 tonnes of caustic soda from the UAE to the Mediterranean, was attacked by pirates at around 0400GMT at 18.3N – 57.6E, the shipping company said on its website, which is on an emergency mode after the vessel’s hijack.
MT Enrico Ievoli, sailing from Fujairah (UAE) bound for the Mediterranean Sea, was captured approximately 215 nautical miles East by Northeast of Salalah, Oman.
The vessel owned by the Naples-based shipping company Marnavi, with 18 crew members on board, is reportedly in movement towards an unknown destination.
The 138 meters vessel is the first Italian one to be hijacked after two Italian tankers, Rosalia D’Amato and Savina Caylyn were released in November and December following the US$17 million ransom payments. The Enrico Levoli had experienced a pirate attack in March 2006.
[mappress] World Maritime News Staff, December 28, 2011; Image: Marnavi