The captain and crew of MV Abdullah, a ship held captive by Somali pirates for a month, are set to reunite with their families following their release. The swift resolution of the hijacking, a rarity in such situations, has drawn attention to the effectiveness of coordinated efforts and pressure on the bandits.

Owned by KSRM, MV Abdullah recently entered the territorial waters of Bangladesh in the Bay of Bengal, en route to Cox's Bazar. Abdul Mubin, an official from KSRM Group's SR Shipping, announced that the vessel is expected to anchor at Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar on Monday morning.

The ship and its 23 crew members were freed on April 13th, local time, after a month-long ordeal in captivity. While reports suggest the possibility of a ransom being paid for their release, the ship's owner has not confirmed these claims.

This successful rescue follows the recent liberation of the Bulgarian ship MV Rouen by the Indian Navy and the thwarted hijacking attempt on an Israeli vessel. The efficiency of these operations contrasts with historical data on piracy off the coast of Somalia, where the average duration of a hijacking exceeds several months.

The government's proactive engagement with international organizations, coupled with heightened naval activities, played a pivotal role in expediting the release of MV Abdullah. Deputy Managing Director Shahriar Jahan Rahat attributed the swift resolution to a combination of negotiation strategies and external pressures on the pirates.

State Minister for Shipping Khali Mahmud Chowdhury underscored that there was no ransom involved in the rescue, emphasizing the efficacy of diplomatic negotiations and external pressures exerted on the pirates. He dismissed speculations regarding ransom payments and underscored the role of sustained discussions and strategic pressures in securing the crew's release.

MV Abdullah's ordeal began on March 12th when it fell into the hands of Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. The vessel, built in 2016 and recently acquired by SR Shipping, was en route from Maputo, Mozambique, to Harmia port, United Arab Emirates, carrying coal.

As the crew prepares to return home, the incident serves as a reminder of the persistent threat of piracy in maritime trade routes and the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring the safety of seafarers and vessels navigating these waters.