Somali pirates free chemical tanker after ransom is paid

16 March 2010 13:50  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Somali pirates freed the chemical tanker MV Theresa VIII on Tuesday after the payment of an undisclosed ransom, the European Union Naval Force Somalia (EU NAVFOR) said.

The 22,294 dwt (deadweight tonnes) vessel was seized on 16 November 2009 in the south Somali basin of the Indian Ocean, around 180 miles off the Seychelles. It had been destined for Mombasa, Kenya, and was carrying an unknown cargo.

The Kiribati-flagged tanker was held near Haradheere on the Somali coast after the hijacking.

EU NAVFOR said Tuesday that the vessel was moving away from the Somali coast and heading out to sea.

The captain of the ship was reported to have died on the night of 17 November from gunshot wounds inflicted during the hijacking. A crew of 28 mainly North Koreans was on board the vessel when it was seized.

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By: James Mills
+44 208 652 3214

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