NEUSTRASHIMY has escorted six convoys

Russian frigate escorts convoy to thwart pirates
Targetted shipowners' vessels escorted along Somali coast...

The Russian navy has announced that one of it's warships is escorting three commercial vessels along the coast of Somalia.

ThE ships are operated by three companies that have had their ships targetted by pirates.

The vessels being escorted are: SOCOL-3 - A general cargo operated by Kaalbye Shipping, a company registered in the British Virgin Isles, although operating from Odessa; CARIBBEAN EXPRESS, another general cargo vessel, believed to be operated by Clipper Group and STOLT MARKLAND, operated by Stolt Tankers.

Clipper Group's CEC VENTURE was hijacked earlier last month and her crew of 13 held to ransom, whilst Stolt's STOLT VALOUR was captured in September with her crew released two months later, and STOLT STRENGTH was captured off Somalia on 11th November.

Even more alarming is the case of Kaalbye Shipping's mv FAINA which was hijacked off Somalia in September as it carried a cargo of Soviet-era tanks and other arms to Kenya. Just a few days ago her owners said they had agreed to a $20 million dollar ransom with the pirates.

Pirates seem more interested in using the crews of hi-jacked ships as bargaining chips, rather than the ships or cargoes they carry.

Clipper's CEO Per Gullestrups has today urged the international coomunity to wake up to the seriousness of the situation and to act in a co-ordinated manner.

In a report published on the internet he said,

"It is simply inconceivable that the international community does not understand how serious this problem is. Since 7 november 8 ships of all sizes have been hijacked and it continues unabated!

"It is no use to bury our heads in the sand," he continued,"the problem does not resolve itself. Carriers must now join actively in the debate on the world stage and seek to influence their respective governments."

The Russian warship currently engaged in escorting the convoy from the three shipping companies is the NEUSTRASHIMY, (FEARLESS) a 3800 ton frigate capable of 30 knots. She was built in Kaliningrad.

Novosti, the Russian News and Information Agency said of her capabilities, "The Russian frigate has a variety of heavy weaponry on board, including artillery, anti-ship missiles, and torpedoes. However, the team on board uses mainly large-caliber machineguns, assault rifles, and grenade launchers to repel pirate attacks."

She left the Baltic Fleet in late September to fight piracy off Somalia and to intercept the FAINA and hAs been successful, along with a flotilla of NATO ships in the region, in thwarting a number of attacks by pirates. So far she has escorted six convoys, protecting 20 ships.

This year 39 vessels have been seized according to the UN and 600 mariners have been held to ransom.