After enduring a harrowing ordeal at the hands of Somali pirates, the MV Abdullah is finally set to depart from Mina Saqqara port in Ras Al Khaimah province of the United Arab Emirates at midnight Bangladesh time on Monday, confirmed Shahriar Jahan, Deputy Managing Director of the ship owner company.

The vessel, which was held hostage for over a month, is expected to reach its destination in Bangladesh on May 12. Previously scheduled to depart on Sunday after loading goods at Mina Saqqara port, the departure was delayed until Monday.

MV Abdullah had been anchored at the UAE's Al Hamria port since its release from captivity. The ship's cargo of coal was unloaded there before completing loading operations on Saturday. It then made its way to Mina Saqqara port for its journey to Bangladesh.

The ship's ordeal began on March 12 when it was seized by pirates 600 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia while en route to Dubai with coal from Mozambique. The owner reported that the ship and its 23 sailors were taken hostage at gunpoint. After 33 days, the pirates departed the vessel on April 13, allowing it to proceed to Al Hamria port in Dubai.

Upon arrival at Al Hamria port on April 22, officials from the Bangladesh Embassy, including Ambassador Mohammad Abu Zafar, along with senior officials and representatives from SR Shipping, greeted the ship. It took several days to unload the previous cargo of coal and load new goods onto the vessel. 

The imminent departure of MV Abdullah marks the end of a challenging chapter for the ship and its crew, who can now look forward to returning home after their prolonged ordeal.