Chinese shipmen escape pirates

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-06-2009 13:45

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A Sierra Leone cargo ship with 32 Chinese crew members managed to throw off 4 pirate boats in the Gulf of Aden on Monday.

The vessel was carrying more than 10-thousand tons of  silicate and oil equipment. It was on its way from Singapore  to the Republic of Djibouti in Northeastern Africa when it  came under pursuit. 4 pirate boats chased the vessel at speeds  of as high as 19 nautical miles per hour.

The vessel was carrying more than 10-thousand tons of silicate and oil equipment. It was on its way from Singapore to the Republic of Djibouti in Northeastern Africa when it came under pursuit. 4 pirate boats chased the vessel at speeds of as high as 19 nautical miles per hour.

The Ministry of Transport immediately launched an emergency response plan and contacted the International Maritime Bureau to seek help from nearby warships.

The cargo ship escaped the pirates half an hour later. Meanwhile, a Chinese naval force is due to start patrolling the surrounding areas of the Gulf of Aden on Tuesday.

Editor:Liu Anqi