If you have insured cargo on board the following vessels and would like us to assist you in pursuing any claims arising from these incidents (or any similar cases), or if you require assistance in providing GA or salvage guarantees, please contact us as soon as possible.
Date: 8th May 2010 Type: Hijacking Voyage: Kandla, India to Antwerp, Belgium.
Reports have been received that Marshall Islands flag vessel MARIDA MARGUERITE (8505gt built 2008) was hijacked by Somali pirates yesterday.
The tanker was attacked 120 miles south of Oman. She is understood to have been on a voyage towards Antwerp, having sailed from Kandla on 4th May.
It is likely that a ransom demand will be made by the pirates quite shortly. Shipowners commonly claim a proportion of any ransom payment from cargo owners as a general average contribution.
Because ransom payments can often lead to a very large claim on cargo insurers, it is important that the full circumstances of the hijacking are investigated.
We have acted for cargo insurers in respect of piracy incidents in the past and have often been able to negotiate reductions in general average payments requested from cargo insurers.
