Somali pirates release Greek ship

Somali pirates today released a Greek-owned chemical tanker and its crew they hijacked in September.

"The pirates released the ship today and it is now sailing to freedom," said Andrew Mwangura, the head of the East African Seafarers Association.

The Liberia-flagged MV Genius was seized in the treacherous Gulf of Aden waters on September 25 with 19 Romanian crew members while on its way to the Middle East from Europe.

Mwangura said it was unclear whether ransom was paid, but pirates often free freighters after a huge payout.

Over the weekend, Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi Arabian super-tanker Sirius Star that was carrying 100-million-dollar worth of oil and are now demanding USD 25 million in ransom.

Pirates are well organised in the area where Somalia's northeastern tip juts into the Indian Ocean, preying on a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal through which an estimated 30 per cent of the world's oil transits.

They operate high-powered speedboats and are heavily armed, sometimes holding ships for weeks until they are released for large ransoms paid by governments or owners.
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