Somali Pirates hijacked an Italian cargo ship with 18 crew including Seven Indian seafarers yesterday off the coast of Oman.

The 18 member crew consists of six Italians, five Ukrainians and seven Indians. The incident took place yesterday morning when the ship, Enrico Ievoli , carrying a cargo of caustic soda from the United Arab Emirates was on its way to Turkey in the Mediterranean sea.

The Naples based owner Marnavi said the ship is now being taken to Somali coast. Italian Government has been alerted.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said it was in close contact with the families. Gennaro Ievoli, a Marnavi executive, said the 453-foot ship's cargo of caustic soda, was of little value and the motive seems to be extortion.