Somali pirates release ship with nine Indians on board

Somali pirates have released a merchant vessel which has nine Indian and 12 Iranian crew members on board.

A press release issued by the government here on Saturday said m.v. Sinin was hijacked by the pirates on February 12, 315 nautical miles off Masirah when it was on a journey from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates to Singapore. The names and other details of any of the crew members have not been disclosed till now. The ship has set sail from Somalia and is slated to reach Colombo in Sri Lanka by August 19, the Directorate General of Shipping said.

There is no information about the amount of ransom paid for the release of the 52,000 tonne Malta-flagged and owned bulk carrier. Officials said the ship is an Indo-Iranian joint venture and that the owners have since provided escort for the vessel.

“The ship owners have provided for replenishment of stores/fuel and security for the vessel to reach Colombo by around August 19. 2011, where the vessel is likely to be dry docked for extensive inspection,” Satish Agnihotri, Director-General of Shipping told The Hindu.

Source: The HIndu