MT Global Mars attack

By Mark Bruyneel

Date: 2000, April
1. Last reported position:
MT Global Mars departed from Port Kelang in Malaysia on 22.02.2000 for Haldia in India with 6,000mt of palm oil products. Her last reported position was 07 32N - 97 24E at 1400 LT (GMT +8) on 23.02.2000 near the Malacca Straits1+2.

2. Attack:
In an article in Lloyd's List5 the attack is described by the crew. Apparantly 10 to 20 pirates attacked the vessel at 22:30 on February 24, two days after leaving Port Kelang6. Eight of the pirates took control of the tanker. The rest blindfolded the crew and transferred them to a large fishing boat. They were held there for 13 days and received food and water during this period.
On March 7 the crew of the tanker were given some provisions and put into a small fishing boat. After this the pirates left them to fend for themselves5.

3. Rescue:
The crew did not exactly know where they were (having been blindfolded) and drifted along for two days before encountering some fishermen. These gave them some fuel, food and directions5. When they ran out of fuel again they paddled, using their hands, along until they reached the island of Koh Surin on 10 March.
The crew of the tanker were then able to contact the manning agent in South Korea. Afterwards it was determined that the crew of the Global Mars had been marooned near Phuket Island (Malaysia) by the pirates. The tanker and its cargoe are still missing3+4. A reward of US$100,000 is offered by the International Maritime Bureau for information leading to the successful recovery of the vessel4. When 7 of the crew returned home to South Korea they gave a press conference. At the conference the captain, Lee Hong-sok, and the 6 crewmen called for the government to set up measures to protect vessels at sea6.

4. Vessel Recovered ?:
In an article in Lloyd's list in June it is reported that the Japanese tanker was found in Southern China. The ship has been detained by the authorities who are currently investigating whether the ship really is the Global Mars. At cargoe of the vessel is supposed to be palm oil 7.

4. Vessel Recovered !:
In a report of the Piracy Reporting Centre on 16 June the vessel that was found in Hong Kong waters is confirmed to be the Global Mars. This vessel had been renamed "Bulawan" and was sailing with Papers giving her a registration for Honduras. The Honduras authorities were unable to find a vessel of that name registered. The Piracy Centre immediately notified the authorities and within hours the Chinese Police Border Defense Bureau started a search for the vessel using aircraft and patrol boats.
When located the vessel was boarded and the 20 people on board her arrested. The group of pirates consisted of 11 Philippines and 9 Myanmarese. About 2500 tonnes of her original cargoe is estimated to be still on board the vessel 8. The Chinese authorities have returned the Global Mars to the Japanese firm Alavanca. A lot of questions about the pirates remain and the Police are still looking for additional members of the pirate gang, including the suspected ringleader 9 + 10.

Vessel's description


Name: Global Mars
Type: chemical tanker
Flag: Panama
IMO no: 8502731
Built: 1985/Japan
GRT: 3729
NRT: 2072
DWT: 6594
LOA: 105.20m
Beam: 15.50m
Draft: 6.85m
Derricks: 1
Engine: Makita diesel
Lifeboats : not enclosed type
Colour: bottom - red, top - marine blue, bridge/accommodation -white/cream,
funnel - marine blue, pipeline - grey
The vessel could have changed her name, particulars and flag.
The vessel's original name, Global Mars is embossed on the bows and stern
Sources:
  1. $100,000 reward offered for recovery of missing ship. - London : International Chamber of Commerce. International Maritime Bureau, 2000 March
    Source: http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/news_archives/2000/reward.asp
  2. Ship missing off Thailand, likely to be hijacked
    In: Shipping Times (2000 March 2) [Newspaper Article]
  3. Hijacked ship's crew found unharmed. - London : ICC Commercial Crime Services, 2000 March 13
  4. Syndicates may be behind attacks / P.T. Bangsberg
    In: Journal of Commerce online (2000 March 13)
  5. Global Mars crew safe after 17-day sea ordeal
    In: Lloyd's List (2000 March 14)
  6. Kidnapped sailors return home after 17-day captivity
    In: Korean Herald (2000 March 14)
  7. Hijacked Global Mars is 'found in Southern China' / Marcus Hand
    In: Lloyd's List (2000 June 2)
  8. Piracy Reporting Centre foils another hijack on the high seas. - International Chamber of Commerce. Commercial Crime Services. International Maritime Bureau, 2000 June 16
    Source: http://www.iccwbo.org/ccs/news_archives/2000/hijack_foiled.asp
  9. China returns oil tanker to owner, arrests 20 seamen
    In: Shipping Times (2000 Aug 9) [Newspaper Article]
  10. China returns hijacked tanker to owners / P.T. Bangsberg
    In: Journal of Commerce online (2000 Aug 8)