Pirate Expert Predicts USD 3 M Ransom for Bulgarian Crewed Ships

The British-flagged ‘Asian Glory’, with eight Bulgarian crew on board was seized off Somalia late Friday. Photo by vesseltracker.com

Somali pirates expert, Dr. Peter Lehr, of the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, has suggested that a ransom of between USD 2-3 M will be requested for the two Bulgarian crewed ships hijacked last week.

Lehr, speaking in an interview on Darik Radio, also said that the crews on the ‘St. James Park’ and the ‘Asian Glory’ were most likely safe despite the lack of contact as Somali pirates usually take care of the crew as part of their negotiations for a ransom.

He concluded that “the pirates know how far they can go to their demands, and Western naval forces also know how far they can go to the rescue of sailors.”

The British-flagged ‘Asian Glory’, with eight Bulgarian crew on board was seized off Somalia late Friday, the European Union naval force said.

Meanwhile, another British-flagged ship, the ‘St. James Park’, with five Bulgarians onboard, was seized last Monday in the Gulf of Aden.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!