Two cargo ships have been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Aden where naval forces from various countries are carrying out patrols. They are the first vessels to have been captured by pirates in the Gulf of Aden since June.

One of the hijacked vessels is a Yemeni cargo vessel with a crew of 15. A chemicals tanker, the St James Park, sailing under the British flag was also captured by pirates. It was travelling from Spain to Thailand and had a crew of 26 comprising nine different nationalities. It is now reported to be sailing towards the Somali coast.

On Monday, a cargo ship flying the Greek flag was hijacked by Somali pirates operating in the Indian Ocean.

photo: St. James Park (Derek Lilley, www.shipspotting.com)