China's Ministry of Transport said Monday that relevant governmental agencies were making efforts for the rescue of a hijacked Chinese bulk carrier in the Indian Ocean.

The ship named "De XIN HAI" carrying coal was hijacked earlier Monday. Qingdao Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd., to which the cargo vessel belongs, reported the incident to the China Maritime Search and Rescue Center at 3:50 p.m. Beijing time.

The ship was on its route from South Africa to India. There were 25 seamen aboard the ship, according to the center.