- Somali pirates have denied reports that three of their comrades died in a shootout in the hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship off Somalia, a representative for group said on Tuesday.
The hijacking of Ukrainian MV Faina-laden with 33 Soviet-made T-72 tanks, rifles and heavy weapons that United States officials have said included rocket launchers was highest-profile act of piracy in dangerous waters this year.
The destroyer, USS Howard, and several other American ships have surrounded cargo ship, Faina, which was hijacked last Thursday and is now anchored off the lawless coast of Somalia.
Pirates are demanding $20 million in ransom for the ship, which they boarded Thursday in the Indian Ocean off Somali coast. There was a crew of 21 Ukrainians and Russians aboard, but the captain was reported later died.
"The negotiations between Ukrainian owners and pirates are still going on over the phone," said Andrew Mwangura, an official of East African Seafarers Assistance Program.
"It will take a while because Ukrainian company may not pay all the money," he also said.
US navy ships are watching the boat, whose capture has also raised questions over the destination of its cargo. Kenya said T-72 tanks, grenade-launchers and ammunition were for its military but US navy believes they were headed for south Sudan via port city of Mombasa.
"We are happy on the ship, and we are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan," spokesman Sugule Ali said by satellite telephone. "Nothing has changed."
"We didn't dispute over a single thing, let alone have a shootout," Mr Ali is also quoting having said.
Local media reports said attempts to contact Mr Ali late on Tuesday were futile as a man answering his phone said he was very tired and was asleep.
US Navy officials from 5th Fleet said they have allowed pirates to re-supply the ship with food and water, but not to unload any military cargo.
There have been 24 reported pirate attacks in Somalia this year, according to the International Maritime Bureau.
Most attacks have been in Gulf of Aden between Yemen and north Somalia, a major global sea artery used by about 20,000 vessels a year heading to and from Suez Canal.
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