From correspondents in Nairobi | May 10, 2009
SOMALI pirates yesterday released an Italian-operated, British-owned cargo ship that was seized in April, two maritime watchdog organisations said.
"The MV Malspina Castle was freed by her captors at around 5.30pm local time (0030 AEST) ... after a ransom had been delivered," said Ecoterra International, an environmentalist group that monitors piracy and other illegal marine activities in the region.
Andrew Mwangura, who runs the East African Seafarers Assistance Program, also confirmed the vessel had been freed.
The 30,000-tonne bulk carrier, ferrying iron ore with a crew of 24, was seized in the Gulf of Aden on April 6, the same day a Taiwanese vessel was taken near the Seychelles.
The pirates first held it near Garaad and later moved it to Eyl in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Puntland.
"The crew is said to be all right," said Ecoterra. It included 16 sailors from Bulgaria, four Filipinos, two Ukrainians, a Russian and an Indian.
At least 19 ships are still being held by Somali pirates along with several hundred mariners.
In the first quarter of 2009, 102 piracy incidents were reported to the International Maritime Bureau, nearly double the number during the same period in 2008.
Foreign naval ships, including from NATO and the European Union, have thwarted several hijacking attempts and made dozens of arrests.
Andrew Mwangura, who runs the East African Seafarers Assistance Program, also confirmed the vessel had been freed.
The 30,000-tonne bulk carrier, ferrying iron ore with a crew of 24, was seized in the Gulf of Aden on April 6, the same day a Taiwanese vessel was taken near the Seychelles.
The pirates first held it near Garaad and later moved it to Eyl in Somalia's northern breakaway region of Puntland.
"The crew is said to be all right," said Ecoterra. It included 16 sailors from Bulgaria, four Filipinos, two Ukrainians, a Russian and an Indian.
At least 19 ships are still being held by Somali pirates along with several hundred mariners.
In the first quarter of 2009, 102 piracy incidents were reported to the International Maritime Bureau, nearly double the number during the same period in 2008.
Foreign naval ships, including from NATO and the European Union, have thwarted several hijacking attempts and made dozens of arrests.
Source: The Australian
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