Somali pirates seize German container ship

Pirates have captured a German-owned ship 720 kilometers off the coast of Somalia. The container vessel ‘Hansa Stavanger’ has a crew of 24, including three Russians and two citizens of Ukraine.

Three crew members are Russian: the first mate and second engineer are from Saint Petersburg, while the senior engineer is from Kaliningrad. The third assistant and motor mechanic are from Ukraine, Russia’s ‘Maritime Bulletin – Sovfrakht’ reports.

It's the first time Somali pirates have seized a container ship.

Experts say unlike oil tankers container ships can be simply robbed.

And selling the cargo on the black market could bring more money than getting a ransom for it.