The MV ''Almezaan'' is a general cargo vessel active off the Horn of Africa. Originally built as the ''Tarcau'', she was renamed in November 2001. The name can be translated from

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...

as "the balance" or "the scales" as well as justice and equity.

Pirate attacks

The vessel has been attacked three times by Somali pirates. The first attack and capture was 1 May 2009, when the vessel, said to be taking wheat and used vehicles to

Mogadishu Mogadishu (, also ; so, Muqdisho or ; ar, مقديشو ; it, Mogadiscio ), locally known as Xamar or Hamar, is the capital and most populous city of Somalia. The city has served as an important port connecting traders across the Indian Oc ...

, was captured and taken to

Harardhere Harardhere (, so, Xarardheere) is a historic town in the Mudug province of Somalia. It is situated in the autonomous Galmudug state and serves as the capital of the Harardhere District. History For most of its history, Harardhere was a histor ...

. It was released on 6 May 2009, reportedly without a ransom being paid and after it was confirmed that it had been hired by a local trader. The second attack was 8 November 2009. The ship was held off

Garacad Garacad is a historic coastal town in the north east central Mudug region of Puntland, an autonomous state of Somalia Somalia, , Osmanya script: 𐒈𐒝𐒑𐒛𐒐𐒘𐒕𐒖; ar, الصومال, aṣ-Ṣūmāl officially the Federa ...

and released on 19 November 2009, after a ransom of $15,000 was paid. The ship was believed to be carrying small arms, ammunition, rockets, and rocket-propelled grenades, as well as armoured vehicles, but this was later denied by the owners. The ship was again attacked on 20 March 2010, while on its way to Mogadishu. The attack was repelled by a private security guard convoy, and one pirate was killed. Six suspected pirates were captured by Navfor the same day, but released after the master and crew of the ''Almezaan'' refused to testify.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Almezaan, Mv Maritime incidents in 2010 Piracy in Somalia 1979 ships