Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Mt-Eureka

Egypt is ramping up its efforts to secure the release of 22 crew members, including eight Egyptians, from the oil tanker 'Eureka', which has been under the control of pirates off the coast of Puntland since May 2. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry is taking steps to support the families of the detained crew members during this challenging time. The renewed action follows a statement from the head of Egypt's Maritime Officers Syndicate, who revealed that negotiations had stalled after the pirates increased their ransom demands. In response, the ministry is actively coordinating measures to ensure the well-being of the crew. This includes arrangements made by the Egyptian embassy in Mogadishu to facilitate communication between the crew and their families. The Egyptian foreign minister has emphasized the importance of daily monitoring as efforts continue for the crew’s release. Additionally, the ministry is in close contact with the shipowner based in Yemen and is leveraging the resources of the Egyptian embassy in Riyadh, which is responsible for dealings with Yemeni authorities, to further coordinate efforts in this critical situation.

The ongoing negotiations for the release of eight Egyptian crew members aboard the 'Eureka', who have been held captive by Somali pirates since May 2, have unfortunately come to a standstill. Initial discussions aimed at reaching a resolution broke down when the pirates abandoned a preliminary agreement, instead demanding a larger ransom than what had previously been established. The 'Eureka', which was seized off the Puntland coast of Somalia by armed assailants, has created significant concerns for the families of the crew members. Initially, the talks centered around a ransom figure of $2 million; however, as the negotiations progressed, the captors raised their demands, leading to the failure of the discussions. According to Egypt’s Maritime Officers Association, all eight sailors are surviving, and some crew members have successfully managed to make short contact with their loved ones. Adding to the tension, a video released by the pirates on May 18 depicted the blindfolded sailors with their hands tied, alarming their families even further as warning shots were reportedly fired in the background. The dire situation continues to unfold as hope remains for the safe return of the crew.

Indonesia is intensifying its diplomatic efforts to free four of its citizens who are currently held captive on the hijacked tanker 'Honour 25'. This vessel was captured by Somali pirates on April 21-22 near Hafun in Somalia's Puntland region while transporting petroleum products. The 'Honour 25', which carries a diverse crew including four Indonesians, ten Pakistanis, along with members from India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, has been a focal point of negotiations since the incident. On May 18, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry reported that talks are ongoing, involving local Somali authorities, the crew management company, and various other stakeholders. These negotiations have provided a glimmer of hope for a resolution in the near future. The Indonesian government remains actively engaged via its diplomatic mission, alongside other agencies, to ensure the safe return of the crew members. Reports indicate that the Indonesian sailors are in good health, have sufficient supplies, and are receiving their salaries while in captivity. The 'Honour 25' was en route to Mogadishu carrying approximately 18,500 barrels of oil at the time of its seizure.

Disturbing images have emerged online, depicting armed assailants onboard the hijacked vessel 'Eureka', with several crew members seen kneeling on the deck off the coast of Somalia. Among the crew are eight Egyptian citizens, who are currently being held captive following the ship's seizure in the Gulf of Aden region. Egypt’s Foreign Ministry has confirmed that those sailors are alive and in stable condition. The ministry is actively coordinating with international partners, maritime organizations, and regional authorities to monitor the situation and work towards the safe release of the crew. Ongoing communication efforts with the ship and the involved parties aim to resolve the crisis as developments continue to unfold.