Iceberg 1: PMPF retakes ship as pirates flee

In a siege that lasted nearly two weeks, forces of Somalia's semiautonomous Puntland region raided a hijacked ship Sunday and safely rescued 22 hostages who had been held captive for nearly three years, authorities said.

The Puntland government said their forces captured the Panama-flagged MV Iceberg 1, which was docked near the Gara'ad coastal village in Mudung region.

Hassan Abdi, a pirate commander, who was in touch with the ship's hijackers, said eight pirates on board the vessel were able to escape as Puntland soldiers closed in.

"None of us has been harmed," Abdi said. Puntland authorities said they had laid siege to the MV Iceberg 1 on Dec. 10.

[December 12

A  hostage rescue attempt failed of  MV Iceberg 1, being held hostage by Somali pirates for almost 3 years.  
Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) clashed with pirates  attempting to transport weapons and ammunition to the pirates on board the Iceberg 1 vessel, resulting in 3 pirates killed and 3 other pirates captured.

[March 29 2011]








Panama Flagged, Iceberg 1 is a Roll on Roll Off vessel with deadweight of 4500 tonnes. The vessel, with a crew of 24 and carrying a mixed cargo of general mechanical equipment, was bound for Jebel Ali in the UAE when hijacked. The crew consist of persons from Yemen, India, Ghana, Sudan, Pakistan and the Philipines.

Reports have been received by EU NAVFOR that the MV Iceberg 1 has been hijacked 10 nautical miles off the port of Aden, Yemen, outside the International Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC).
The last contact with the vessel was the master stating to his owner that pirates were onboard. The vessel appears to be heading towards the Somali coast. EU NAVFOR units are monitoring the situation.


Iceberg I (12-2007)
IMO: 7429102
according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence is associated with Azal Shipping & Trading of Dubai.
Azal Contracting & Oil Services Corp. is a private firm with many activities specialized in different field of services and investment . AZAL utilizes both its assets and resources efficiently and takes full and early advantages of technical advances and markets needs. Our philosophy is based on blending individuals to form strategic partnerships with multinational corporations.. The ISO 9002 accreditation is a clear signal to our valued clients that Azal Blue Bell Shipping provides a consistently reliable quality services.

Iceberg 1: 100 miles north of Hobyo

658 N 4921 E

[October 30]We are not close to releasing this vessel....until we get our demanded ransom: a spokesman, Aden said. Last known position 0700 north 04922 east, 100mi N Hobyo

Listed by ABS as still held by pirates November 2

Iceberg 1: released or not?

Has Iceberg 1 been released? AP has retracted its notice
Iceberg I (12-2007)
IMO: 7429102
according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence is associated with Azal Shipping & Trading of Dubai.
Azal Contracting & Oil Services Corp. is a private firm with many activities specialized in different field of services and investment . AZAL utilizes both its assets and resources efficiently and takes full and early advantages of technical advances and markets needs. Our philosophy is based on blending individuals to form strategic partnerships with multinational corporations.. The ISO 9002 accreditation is a clear signal to our valued clients that Azal Blue Bell Shipping provides a consistently reliable quality services.

Iceberg 1: hijackers threaten crew

By mobile phone a crew member said the pirates are threatening to harm them. The pirates say their ransom is ten million dollars but from our point of view even if we give them 400,000 dollars they will take”. read earlier
199 7429102 ICEBERG I 3EBE2 Ro-Ro 3960 1976 Panama

Iceberg 1: McFaul releases deck prisoners

The deck passenger prisoners were removed from the McFaul on May 27 and were being transported back to Somalia, Navy officials said. the alleged pirates, who were captured April 5 in the Arabian Sea by the McFaul, a U.S. guided missile destroyer. The McFaul apprehended the pirates after they had hijacked an Indian cargo ship and taken nine crew members hostage, Navy officials said. here more more more

Iceberg 1: pirates renamed Sea Express

USS McFaul followed Iceberg 1 for the next 36 hours, until it turned towards the coast of Somalia.the pirates having painted over its name and re-named it Sea Express

"We cannot be sure what the pirates plan was if they had not been interrupted. The vessel may have been on its way to either assist other pirates in distress, or look for another merchant vessel to attack," said Republic of Korea Rear Adm. Beom Rim Lee, [Lee Beom-rim] commanding officer of Combined Task Force 151, the Combined Maritime Forces' counter-piracy task force that operates in the Gulf of Aden and Somali Basin

Iceberg 1: McFaul shadows hijacked ro-ro

May 24, 2010 -- Updated 1522 GMT (2322 HKT)
The destroyer USS McFaul is monitoring a Panamanian-flagged vessel taken over by pirates.


* Destroyer USS McFaul followed Panamanian vessel as it headed toward Somalia
* M/V Iceberg and crew of 24 are held by 50 pirates
* U.S. ship commander putting off rescue attempt out of concern for captives' safety
CNN read more


199 7429102 ICEBERG I 3EBE2 Ro-Ro 3960 1976 Panama