Lucky Escape

In an extremely rare attack in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, pirates came close to capturing a Singaporean-owned capesize bulker.

The 170,000-dwt “Cape Spencer” came under fire last week from a gang using a single skiff. Shots were fired, then the pirates attempted to clamber on board.

It is understood the pirates got very close to the ship but the master’s evasive maneuvers forced them to retreat.

Attacks in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait are very rare and there has been a suggestion that pirates have moved into the area to avoid the rough seas created by the monsoon season in the Arabian Sea.