Mongolia-flagged bulker, Hoang Son Sun reported released by Somali pirates.
UPDATED
By Andrew Mwangura, Somalia Report
After nine months of captivity, the Mongolia-flagged, Vietnamese-owned bulk carrier MV Hoang Son Sun and her crew of 24 vietnamese sailors have been safely released by Somali pirates.
Maritime sources told Somalia Report Friday evening that the bulk carrier was released Thursday afternoon soon after her captors were paid US$ 4.5 million in ransom, claim Somali pirates. Although the shipowners have, since release, stated they paid $2.6 million from their own pocket. Pirates previously demanded between $5 - $8 million, writes Somalia Report.
Sources said that the investors were short-changed by their fellow pirates when the pirates allegedly disembarked from the vessel at 1900 local time without permission from their investors.
The vessel is doing 9 knots as she makes her way to Salalah, Oman where she is expected to arrive in 2-3 days.
The crew is said to be in good condition.
The ship was hijacked along with her 24 Vietnamese crew members by armed Somali pirates on January 17, 2011 approximately 520 nautical miles southeast of Muscat, Oman.
The 22,835 dwt bulk carrier with a gross registered tonnage of 13,881 tons is owned and managed by the Vietnamese based Hoang Son Company Limited.
She was held captive at Ceel Dhanaane by the Sanweyne pirate group.
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