27/10/08 (B471) Shabelle avec KBC / Un bâteau de Singapour échappe aux pirates. // Singaporean ship escapes hijack, docks in Mombasa.

A Singapore registered ship that escaped being hijacked by Somali pirates in Kenya’s territorial waters has been allowed to dock and offload its cargo at the Mombasa port.

It had been feared that the ship had bombs on board when the pirates attempted to attack it but bomb experts confirmed the gadgets were already exploded military ware.

The Vessel Kota Henning docked at the Mombasa port after evading a hijack by Somali pirates in three speed boats.

The pirates had fired at the vessel while on Kenyan waters but the ship’s captain increased speed saving it from imminent hijack.

Kenya Ports Authority harbor master Twalib Khamis said the 22 crew members on the ship were safe and in good health.

Kenya Navy vessels and Maritime police have been guarding the ship at the port, as it offloads its cargo.

Meanwhile unconfirmed reports say the pirates holding the MV Faina have threatened to kill their hostages and set the ship on fire if the 800 million shillings ransom they are demanding is not paid in 24 hours.

The more than 50 pirates and 20 man crew have reportedly ran out of supplies.

Patrols on the pirate infested waters of Somalia have intensified with the NATO military alliance sending warships to help combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Nine Somali pirates have so far been arrested by the French Navy and handed over to regional authorities in Somalia.