Pirates Hijack Saudi Tanker Bound For US

The EU's anti-piracy force says Somali pirates have seized a super tanker carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to the United States.

Cmdr. John Harbour, a spokesman for the EU Naval Force, says the Greek-owned Maran Centaurus was hijacked Sunday about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) off the coast of Somalia.

Pirates have increased attacks on vessels off East Africa for the millions of dollars of ransom that can be had. A tanker full of oil would be worth millions and could pose a huge security and environmental threat to the region.

Harbour says there were 28 crew members on board the 300,000-ton ship.