The Malta Maritime Authority is following developments after a Maltese-registered vessel was seized by pirates off Somalia.

Pirates seized the Centauri, a Greek-owned Maltese- registered vessel, and the Great Creation, registered in Hong Kong, each carrying 25 crew, according to a Kenyan maritime official.

Heavily-armed Somali pirates have hijacked more that 30 vessels off the Horn of Africa country this year, making its waters the most dangerous in the world.

Andrew Mwangura of the East African Seafarers' Assistance Programme said the Centauri, was heading for Kenya when it was seized yesterday off southern Somalia.

He told Reuters that gunmen captured the Great Creation, owned by Hong Kong's Sinotrans, early today.

Mr Mwangura said the Centauri was now being taken towards Eyl, a lawless former fishing outpost on the Somali coast where gangs are holding several ships for ransom.

"The ship was expected to call at Mombasa on tomorrow and discharge 17,000 tonnes of bulk salt," he said. "It was taken in southern Somalia, which is unusual for the pirates."

The Great Creation was travelling to India from Tunisia with 24 Chinese and a Sri Lankan on board when it was attacked.

Somali pirates are holding 13 vessels at the moment, along with more than 200 sailors. Most of the gangs are based in northern Somalia's Puntland region, where security forces reportedly clashed with pirates yesterday.

Local media said several pirates had been injured and others arrested during the gunfight on the outskirts of Bosasso port. No other details were immediately available.

Spain said yesterday that a military aircraft would patrol the waters off Somalia to guard against the gunmen. The plane will observe the pirates' movements and relay information to a European Union task force formed to tackle piracy.