The Kremlin has praised the actions of crew working onboard the Moscow University, a Russian oil tanker hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

In a statement, Anatoly Safonov, the Kremlin's envoy for international cooperation in combating terrorism, said that crewmembers had been trained to seek safety in a part of the ship that was inaccessible to the pirates.

Once security forces became aware the crew had stowed themselves away successfully, they approached the tanker by helicopter, opening fire on the superstructure of the boat until the pirates surrendered.

"The tanker's crew was brilliantly prepared. The outcome was due to the training, organised by the ship's owner, and the preparatory work done by the personnel," he said.

The Gulf of Aden, located off the coast of Nigeria, is the most dangerous sea trade route in the world, and investment in security training has increased dramatically in recent years as piracy has increased.

Getenergy for Russia & CIS, 19th – 20th May 2010 - Moscow