Missing Thai tanker found after pirates steal oil

A Thai tanker that went missing after leaving Singapore last week has been released by pirates who stole its oil cargo, a maritime watchdog said on Monday. The International Maritime Bureau said it has been informed by the ship's owner that Mt Orapin 4 has been released and safely arrived at Sri Racha Port in Thailand on Sunday. The ship's owner lost contact with the vessel and its 14 crew members after it left Singapore on 27 June. The ship was due at the Indonesian port of Pontianak two days later but failed to arrive. "Pirates hijacked and stole the tanker's oil cargo onboard and destroyed the communication equipment. The crew and vessel are safe," said Noel Choong, who heads the bureau's piracy reporting centre in Kuala Lumpur. No further details were available. Last month, a Thai ship and a Singapore tanker carrying diesel were also attacked by pirates after they left Singapore. Pirates stole the cargo before releasing the ships.