Concern grows over food, fresh water stocks on MV Abdullah

MV Abdullah's remaining food stock for 25 days might run out if shared between the sailors and the pirates and there might be a freshwater crisis on board, said officials of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association today.

Expressing concerns regarding the freshwater stocks aboard the ship, Shakhawat Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association, told The Business Standard that the ship has 200 tonnes of freshwater.

"Sharing the water with pirates will cause water shortages on board. In that case, this crisis can be solved by using up less water or going for rationing," he said.

He said the Somali pirates can provide "dumba" (sheep) or other food even if there is a shortage. But there is not much scope to supply clean water [to the hostages].

Asked about the latest update on the ship, he said some sailors were able to talk to their relatives till last Friday. But the hostages could not speak to their families yesterday.

"The pirates have not yet initiated any communication regarding ransom," he said.

Sharing with pirates will cause water shortages on board.

Sakhawat Hossain, general secretary, Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers' Association

Officials of the shipping company owning the ship said once contact with the pirates is initiated, the matter regarding food and water shortage in the ship will be discussed.

Efforts will be made to provide food and clean water on board quickly through third parties, they said.

KSRM Group media adviser Mizanul Islam said ships usually carry frozen fish, meat, vegetables and fruits, rice, lentils and biscuits.

"With the pirates on board, the demand for food and water has increased. If the pirates are contacted, the issue of food will be discussed," he also said.

Mohammad Idris, a survivor of the 2010 Somali piracy attack on MV Jahan Moni, told TBS, "When there is a food shortage, pirates bring food themselves."

"Whenever there was a shortage of food [at MV Jahan Moni], two 'dumbas' were brought for us every week, though there was more of a crisis with water."

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud yesterday urged all to behave responsibly to help overcome the issue regarding rescue of both crew members and the ship.

"The issue needs to be looked at carefully by all. Our main goal is to free the sailors and the ship. So, if we all behave responsibly from our respective positions, then it will be easier to overcome the situation," he said after a meeting in the city. 

Those who hijacked the ship are watching what is being shown on the television channels of Bangladesh as there is an opportunity to watch these through satellite, Hasan said.

"When this matter is over-emphasised, when the hijackers see the reaction of hostages' families, they become more and more rigid. This negative impact is unfolding," said the minister.

Latest location of MV Abdullah

As of Friday, the Bangladeshi vessel MV Abdullah, hijacked by Somali pirates with 23 crew members on board, had moved some 45-50 nautical miles north from Thursday's anchorage point.

"The ship is now anchored about four nautical miles off Godob Jiraan coast," Bangladesh Merchant Marine Officers Association General Secretary Shakhawat Hossain told TBS at 8pm Friday.

MV Abdullah was hijacked by pirates last week while transporting coal from Maputo Port in Mozambique to Al Hamriyah Port in the UAE.

On Friday, in a statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Navy announced that its long-range maritime patrol aircraft, LRMP P-81, was deployed last Tuesday following a request for assistance from the hijacked ship. The aircraft attempted to establish communication with the ship's crew to ascertain its status. However, there was no response from the ship.

Families grapple with worry

Family members of the sailors aboard the hijacked ship are enduring days filled with worry. Since the ship's hijacking, relatives have been grappling with anxiety, counting the days in anticipation of their safe return.

They express deep concern over the lack of communication from the sailors since last Friday. They urged both the shipping company and the government to take immediate action to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.

Luthfa Ara Begum, mother of Ainul Hoque Abhi, one of the sailors aboard MV Abdullah, told TBS, "I urge the prime minister to intervene in this matter. It is imperative that we collectively work towards resolving this crisis."

Reena Akhter, wife of MV Abdullah's engine oiler, Mohammad Shamsuddin, said, "My husband made a phone call for the last time on Tuesday at 5:40 pm. After that, there has been no contact for the past four days. I am very worried about him."