Somali pirates captured a Greek-flagged supertanker estimated to be carrying US$150 million ($193.5 million) of oil to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the second successful attack against an oil tanker in two days.

Such vessels can command higher ransoms because of the value of the crude on board. Pirates hold 29 ships and roughly 660 hostages.

The Irene SL was sailing 360km east of Oman with a cargo of 266,000 tonnes of crude oil and a crew of seven Greeks, 17 Filipinos and one Georgian when it was attacked.