Missing Thai tanker freed after cargo stolen

The missing Indonesian-bound Thai tanker had been freed by pirates who stole its oil cargo, the International Maritime Bureau (IMB) said on Monday.

MT Orapin 4 with 14 crew aboard arrived at Sri Racha Port in Thailand on Sunday, the IMB's Kuala Lumpur-based Piracy Reporting Center said.

"Pirates hijacked and stole the tanker's oil cargo onboard and destroyed the communication equipment. The crew and vessel are safe," it added.

The Piracy Reporting Center said Saturday that the ship, which was on its way to Pontianak, Indonesia, lost contact after leaving Singapore on Tuesday.

The international maritime agency recorded 23 actual or attempted attacks from January to March, mainly off Indonesia.