Somali pirates free PIL 1,550-TEU ship for US$4 million

SOMALI pirates have freed Pacific International Lines (PIL) 1,150-TEU Kota Wajar, a Singapore-flagged containership after 10 weeks in captivity for US$4 million, announced the EU naval task force.

"We have received US$4 million and released the ship and its 21 crew late yesterday," pirate Mohamed told Reuters. "The crew were happy and clapping."

According to Ecoterra International, a group that monitors shipping off Somalia, at least 10 foreign vessels and 228 seafarers are still being held by pirates.

The Kota Wajar was released outside Haradere off the Somali coast and the Canadian 4,770-ton frigate HMCS Fredericton is providing medical and logistical assistance, the task force said in a statement.

The containership and its crew of 21, had been captured by pirates in the Indian Ocean 540 kilometres north of the Seychelles on October 15, reported Agence France-Presse.

The European Union naval force (EU Navfor) patrolling the shipping lanes off said the 24,637-ton ship was taken between its destination, Mombasa, and its home port of Singapore.

Source: www.schednet.com