NAIROBI, July 05, 2010, SPA -- Pirates have hijacked a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker in the Red Sea, the European Union Naval Force said on Monday. The 13,065 deadweight tonnes tanker Motivator, manned by 18 Filipino crew and carrying lubricating oil, was attacked early on Sunday morning, Reuters reported. "The MT Motivator reported it was under small arms fire from a pirate attack in the northern Bab Al Mandeb area in the southern Red Sea," EUNAVFOR said. "After notification of this attack, attempts were made to make contact with the Motivator but to no avail. The hijack was confirmed early on July 5." --SPA 13:42 LOCAL TIME 10:42 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/799185