Disclaimer: The content of this article is written with authoritative sources, and the source of the literature and screenshots have been marked at the end of the article, please be aware.
In 1992, a Chinese cargo ship carrying cargo was slowly navigating the shipping lanes to Romania.
Who could have imagined that a huge cargo ship would be the focus of international news when a sudden crisis turned out to be a sudden crisis?
In choosing the route and berthing places, the captain decided to save money by calling the vessel in the Somali sea near Djibouti instead of the safer port of Djibouti. This decision may seem like a cost savings, but is it really worth it?
Crisis caused by a ship breakdown
In 1992, a Chinese cargo ship was on its way to Romania to receive a newly-built cargo ship while sailing through the blue Red Sea when it suddenly suffered a major failure in the vessel's propulsion system.
While traversing this ancient sea, the ship's thrusters had an accident: one of the important blades broke, a mechanical failure that not only slowed down the cargo ship, but also greatly affected the ship's driving stability.
Once the ship loses its balance at high speeds, there is a great risk of capsizing, so the crew urgently needs to find a safe place to dock and carry out the necessary repairs and maintenance.
Considering safety and feasibility, the crew chose to dock the vessel in a relatively remote part of the Red Sea, which is not a regular route stop, but can provide sufficient water depth and the necessary environment for emergency repairs.
The security situation for cargo ships has become more complex and dangerous following the decision to dock cargo ships in Somali waters close to Djibouti rather than in the official Djibouti port.
The captain's decision was based on consideration of berthing costs and the hope of reducing sailing costs by avoiding official ports with high fees. While this decision may seem reasonable from a short-term financial perspective, it ignores the long-term safety risks and potential high risks.
Choosing to call at an informal port means that vessels lose the security and supervision that conventional ports provide. Regular ports are usually equipped with modern surveillance systems, permanent security personnel, and strict entry and exit registration systems, which can effectively prevent and respond to the intrusion of criminals.
In contrast, the Somali Sea, despite its proximity to Djibouti, falls far short in terms of security measures and regulation, exposing cargo ships to an environment where risk is almost impossible to predict and control.
In fact, the waters off Somalia have become a hotspot for piracy due to long-standing political instability and economic problems.
These pirates usually use speedboats to move quickly through vast seas, specifically looking for unprotected targets to attack.
For them, a cargo ship that is not registered in a formal port and lacks adequate protection is undoubtedly an attractive target.
Due to the fact that the cargo ship is anchored in a remote sea, the presence of other ships around it further increases the likelihood of an attack.
Pirates tend to prioritize such isolated ships when choosing targets to attack, as they are easier to operate and the risk of escape is much reduced.
After the ship docked, the crew began repair work, but their safety was in jeopardy. At night, poor visibility and the seclusion of the sea facilitate the stealth of pirates.
Although the crew carried out a basic night watch, due to the lack of professional safety equipment and adequate safety training, this self-protection measure was far from sufficient to effectively resist sudden pirate attacks.
In addition, because the ships are located in informal ports, it is difficult for crews to quickly obtain outside assistance, even in the event of a pirate attack.
In a formal port, in the event of an emergency, rescue resources, including the coast guard and other security forces, can be mobilized immediately through the port authority to respond quickly to the crisis.
In Somali waters, such support systems are almost non-existent, and crews must rely on their own to respond to any contingencies that may arise.
Pirate raids
Under the cover of late night, a group of pirates carefully planned and executed an attack on a Chinese cargo ship docked in Somali waters.
The moonlight was faint, the starry sky was bright, the breeze on the surface of the sea brought the salty taste of the sea, and the darkness of the night provided perfect concealment, casting an almost perfect camouflage for the pirates' approaching movements.
The pirates used small speedboats, which were small and nimble, making them ideal for moving quickly over the vast and complex seas.
They disperse quietly around the boat, using low-volume engines or paddling to avoid drawing too much attention to the sea at night.
When approaching the cargo ship, they skillfully threw hooks and ropes to the edge of the cargo ship, and these hooks were firmly grasped by the side of the ship, providing support for their boarding operations.
Dressed in black combat uniforms and armed with knives and homemade weapons, the pirates quickly and skillfully climbed aboard the cargo ship along the ropes.
They moved quickly on board, using the Elemental Surprise Attack to take control of key parts of the ship, such as the wheelhouse and communications area, before the crew could fully react. Some pirates also patrol around to make sure every nook and cranny of the ship is under control.
At this time, most of the crew was still asleep, unprepared for a sudden crisis.
After being quickly awakened, they were asked to concentrate on the deck of the cargo ship, and the pirates made their intentions clear in rude manner and language: to demand a ransom as a condition for the release of the crew and the ship.
The crew was forced to obey, their hands were tied, their movements were restricted, and control of the entire cargo ship completely fell into the hands of the pirates.
After securing control of the ship and crew, the pirates began to issue ransom demands to the outside world through the ship's communications equipment.
They are proficient in this kind of operation and it is clearly not the first time that such activities have been carried out.
Through satellite phones and other means of communication, they conveyed their demands to shipowners and related parties, claiming that if the corresponding ransom was not paid, further harm would be inflicted on the crew and cargo ship.
In this extreme and tense situation, the pirates remain vigilant and keep a close watch for any possible acts of defiance or signs of outside assistance.
They set up guards on the ship in case the crew tried to escape or sent out a distress signal.
At the same time, a part of the pirates continued to communicate with the outside world through the cargo ship's equipment, trying to speed up the ransom payment process to ensure that their plans went smoothly.
The whole incident developed rapidly in the nightfall, and the fate of the cargo ship and crew hung in the balance. The pirates' control and tactics showed that they were experienced and prepared for such activities, and that the crew was extremely passive and helpless in the face of this sudden crisis.
Diplomatic efforts and international assistance
At a time when the situation of a Chinese cargo ship being hijacked by pirates and demanding ransom payments was rapidly deteriorating, Chinese Ambassador Sun Haorong intervened urgently, communicating urgently with Djibouti's diplomat, Director Sheik.
Although Sun Haorong officially acted in a private capacity, his role in the incident and his active diplomatic efforts underscored the core value of diplomacy in dealing with such international crises.
As a senior official of the Djibouti government, Mr. Sheikh has a deep understanding of the regional security situation and an extensive network of contacts.
After receiving contact from Sun, Sheikh responded quickly and reported the situation to Djibouti Foreign Minister Mulin and President Al Golaid, asking them to participate in resolving the emergency.
Both Mulmin and Grued took the matter very seriously, and immediately called an emergency meeting to discuss countermeasures, and began to make initial attempts at communication with the pirates.
The pirates, for their part, showed a tough attitude in the initial contact, insisting on the payment of the ransom. At this time, Sun Haorong learned through the introduction of Director Xie Ke and Mu Ming that the World Health Organization was conducting a rescue operation at the port of Berbera, Somalia.
This message provides Sun Haorong with new ideas as he considers using the influence of international organizations and their activities in the region as a potential way to resolve the current crisis.
Sun acted quickly, contacting United Nations representatives in the region to explain the hijacking of the Chinese cargo ship and stressed the need for international cooperation to solve problems in such incidents.
The representative of the United Nations expressed concern about the matter and pledged to assist in mobilizing international resources to find a solution together.
Under Sun's facilitation, a temporary crisis team was formed consisting of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the Government of Djibouti and the Chinese Embassy.
The main task of the group is to develop a concrete plan of action to ensure the safety of the hijacked crew members and to resolve the ransom issue as soon as possible.
Using their expertise and regional influence, the panelists devised a multi-faceted negotiation strategy designed to put pressure on the pirates from multiple angles in order to achieve a peaceful resolution of the hijackings.
At the same time, Moumin and Gouled communicated with the Somali authorities and local community leaders through the channels of the Government of Djibouti in the hope that they could help or influence the rescue operation.
These efforts include educating Somali tribal leaders about the seriousness of the abductions and their possible negative impact on regional stability, in order to gain their support or neutrality.
Crisis resolution
After sustained diplomatic efforts and concentrated pressure from the international community, the pirates who hijacked the Chinese cargo ship finally began to reassess their position.
With the involvement of the United Nations and its partners, and the ongoing negotiations and good offices between the Djibouti and Chinese governments, pirates have come to realize that it is not in their long-term interests to be hostile to the international community.
Faced with the threat of possible military action and further international sanctions, the pirate leadership began to consider the release of the crew and cargo ship in an attempt to obtain a partial détente.
During the tense two-week detention, the crew's situation was a focal point of negotiations. Through a series of complex negotiations and international involvement, an agreement was finally reached for the release of the crew.
The news of the safe release of the crew members not only brought great comfort to their families, but also marked an important victory for international cooperation in tackling the problem of piracy.
The release process took place under the supervision of Djibouti. The crew members were taken to a predetermined location under the control of the pirates, where they were subsequently received by the Djibouti security forces and international observers, ensuring a smooth process.
Everything is carefully planned and coordinated in case of any possible surprises. After the crew members left the pirate-controlled area safely, they were sent to a temporary reception centre in Djibouti for health screenings and psychological counselling to relieve the stress and trauma they experienced during their detention.
At the same time, the cargo ship was safely returned under international pressure. The pirates carried out a raid before evacuating the ship, but the basic structures and machinery were not seriously damaged.
Vessels are directed to the nearest safe port for thorough inspections and necessary repairs. In this process, the Government of Djibouti has provided the necessary support and assistance to ensure a safe transition of the vessel and crew.
References: Qin Ping, Shi Jingli. How to eradicate the problem of piracy[J].China Ship Survey,2009(11):52-55136,137