Somali pirates have released a Liberian-flagged tanker and its 28 crew after holding it for almost two months within Somali waters. The MT Biscaglia was hijacked on November 28 with a crew of 25 Indians and three Bangladeshis. It also carried three security guards - two Britons and one Irish national - who jumped over board when the pirates attacked. Ecoterra International, a non-governmental organization, has confirmed that the ship has been released after a deal was reached on Thursday, our Press TV correspondent reported on Friday. "After having concluded the agreement yesterday (Thursday) at 3:00 pm local time (1200 GMT), Liberia-flagged MT Biscaglia is said to have sailed free," our correspondent quoted Ecoterra International as saying in its daily newsletter.
Sources involved in the negotiations also confirmed the release.
The tanker, which is transporting palm oil, is managed by a company based in Singapore and has a registered owner in the Marshall Islands, AFP said, adding that no official confirmation from the owner was immediately available.
The Somali pirates are said to be still holding at least 15 foreign vessels and around 250 crew members off the coast of Somalia for ransom. Among the ships still being held hostage is the Ukrainian vessel MV Faina with a cargo of battle tanks and ammunition. Food supplies on the vessel are believed to be low and talks over a ransom are in limbo, AFP said.
Multinational naval forces are stationed in the pirate-infested waters off Somalia to tackle the piracy menace which has threatened maritime activities with many shipping companies redirecting their ships from the region for fear of hijack, our correspondent said.