EUROPEAN Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Somalia, the European Union maritime counter-piracy task force off Somalia, has confirmed the release of a commercial cargo vessel and its crew 32 days after it was seized.
The Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier Abdullah and the 23 men on board were released into the custody of EUNAVFOR April 14, reports Melbourne's Baird Maritime.
The vessel was boarded illegally by armed men 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu on March 12, during which time the ship remained under surveillance by EUNAVFOR assets.
One of the pirates who had seized the Abdullah told Reuters that the release of the vessel and the crew followed the payment of US$5 million ransom.
Abdullah is owned by Bangladeshi shipping company the KSRM Group. The vessel is presently en route to its final destination in the UAE with two naval ships providing escort.
Abdullah had earlier departed Mozambique with a cargo of coal when the hijacking occurred
SeaNews Turkey
The Bangladeshi-flagged bulk carrier Abdullah and the 23 men on board were released into the custody of EUNAVFOR April 14, reports Melbourne's Baird Maritime.
The vessel was boarded illegally by armed men 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu on March 12, during which time the ship remained under surveillance by EUNAVFOR assets.
One of the pirates who had seized the Abdullah told Reuters that the release of the vessel and the crew followed the payment of US$5 million ransom.
Abdullah is owned by Bangladeshi shipping company the KSRM Group. The vessel is presently en route to its final destination in the UAE with two naval ships providing escort.
Abdullah had earlier departed Mozambique with a cargo of coal when the hijacking occurred
SeaNews Turkey