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: 12th May 2010 Type: Hijacking Voyage: Ukraine/China
Reports have been received that Liberian flag vessel ELENI P. (37707gt built 1997) was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden on 12th May 2010.
The bulk carrier was on a voyage from Ukraine carrying a cargo of iron ore. The cargo was original destined for discharge at Xiaman, China.
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. The legality of contributing to any ransom payment should also be verified.
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.
