Hijacking Attempt of Panamanian Ship Pending Scrapping

A group of five pirates boarded a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship bound for scrapping on Sunday off Colon Port.

The 1986-built ship VFM Alita, owned by Venezuela Feeder Maritime, was anchored west of the entrance to the breakwater in the province of Colon when it was boarded.

The ship has been in lay-up since last year and is pending scrapping.

The perpetrators were arrested shortly after by members of the National Air and Navy Service of Panama (SENAN), who stormed the ship.

Having been informed of the boarding, SENAN dispatched units to the scene to inspect the situation and found five men on board including one minor.

The five detainees were transferred to Christopher Columbus SENAN Naval Base, to be processed by the competent authorities, SENAN informed.

World Maritime News Staff; Images: SENAN