( CNN ) -- Suspected Somali pirates hijacked a Greek-owned bulk carrier Wednesday with 22 crew members aboard , according to the European Union 's Naval Force for Somalia . MV Filitsa was seized in the early morning about 460 miles ( 740 kilometers ) northeast of the Seychelles as it headed toward Durban , South Africa , according to a news release from EU NAVFOR Somalia . The Marshall Island-flagged carrier -- with three Greek and 19 Filipino crew members -- `` has now turned around and is heading north , '' it said . The bulk carrier has a deadweight of more than 23,000 tons . There have been more than 100 pirate attacks and at least 39 hijackings off the east Africa this year , according to EU NAVFOR . In late October , Somali pirates seized a private yacht in the Indian Ocean , taking Paul and Rachel Chandler hostage . They have demanded a $ 7 million ransom for the British couple 's release , but the government has refused to pay as a matter of long-standing policy . Two vessels were attacked the day after the Chandlers set sail . One of them -- a cargo ship -- was successfully boarded and seized off the Seychelles , while the other fought off its attackers near the Kenyan coast . Pirates are still holding a Spanish fishing boat , the Alakrana , which they seized on October 2 off Somalia 's coast . Days later , they transferred three of the fishing boat 's 36 crew members to land . Two pirate suspects had left the Alakrana in a small vessel heading toward land , authorities said , and the Spanish military swooped in to stop them on the high seas . They were later brought to Madrid , where a judge has charged them with piracy and kidnapping . The pirates holding the crew have demanded Spain release the two suspects . Spain is part of the European Union task force against piracy in the Indian Ocean off Somalia . The Spanish parliament last January agreed to increase Spain 's presence with up to 395 troops and assets , including a frigate and aircraft . CNN 's Al Goodman contributed to this report .
More than 100 crew aboard Greek -owned bulk carrier Durban . Ship changed directions , now heading north European Union Naval Force says . 22 pirate attacks off Spain the day .