Greek Tanker Captured by Somali Pirates

Confiscated weapons and ammunition from suspected Somali pirates awaiting trial on June 24, are used as evidence at the Shimo la Tewa maximum prison, at the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa. (Tony Karumba/Getty Images )

Early Monday morning, the chemical products tanker MT Motivator fell into the hands of Somali pirates in the southern Red Sea.

Ecoterra writes that the Greek-owned vessel had reported a pirate attack Sunday midday, saying small fire arms were used.

Since that time all attempts to contact the vessel have failed. The ship carried a crew of 18 Filipinos and was loaded with lubrication oil.

Foreign warships tried to intercept the over 14,000-ton tanker guessing at its route toward the Somali coast.

According to Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor from Ecoterra Intl., currently, 23 foreign vessels are being held by pirates in the Somali region and 424 crew members are waiting to be released.

Since 2008, the international naval presence in the region is larger than ever with various joint international operations.

But at the same time, “piracy has increased to an all-time high with increased violence and escalating armed encounter,” reports Ecoterra. A trend toward targeting larger vessels is being reported.