Seven Armed Pirates Board Bulker near Singapore Strait

A South Korean bulk carrier was boarded by armed pirates while underway near the Singapore Strait in the morning hours of July 22.

The vessel in question is the 81,147 dwt CK Bluebell, Yonhap news agency said citing government officials.

Seven armed pirates assaulted the seafarers aboard the South Korean-registered bulker some 100 miles from the entrance to the strait.

Officials at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries informed that the pirates stole around USD 13,000 in cash, as well as the crew’s personal belongings.

There were no reports of casualties following the attack, the official said, noting that some sailors sustained minor injuries during confrontations with the pirates.

After the attack, the 2011-built CK Bluebell resumed its voyage. The vessel was en route to Incheon from Brazil’s Port of Santos at the time of the incident.

World Maritime News Staff