MV Free Goddess Released By Somali Pirates - UPDATED
Sources: gCaptain & Reuters
Somali pirates have released the M/V Free Goddess that has been held hostage since being hijacked in the Arabian Sea back in February, Tradewinds News has reported citing confirmation from its Greek owner. Unconfirmed report states a ransom of $5.7 million was paid to the pirates (Reuters)
The 22,051 DWT bulk carrier was hijacked on February 7 while underway approximately 520nm northeast of Socotra Island, Yemen with a crew of 21 Filipinos. At the time of the hijacking, the M/V Free Goddess was enroute from Adabiya, Egypt to Singapore with approximately 19,475 metric tons of steel cable.
The vessel is owned by NASDAQ-listed FreeSeas, Inc. of Athens, Greece and is Liberian-flagged. No word yet on the condition of the crew [Lloyd's List states all crewmembers are safe] or the amount of ransom paid.
Following its hijacking, Somali pirates were reportedly demanding $8 million for its release although the actual ransom paid is likely to have been significantly less. The last vessel ransomed by Somali pirates was the M/T Liquid Velvet on June 5 with pirates reportedly collecting $4 million.
Somali pirates are still holding 7 vessels, according to data from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
FreeSeas, Inc. owns a fleet of seven handysize and handymax dry bulk carriers.
[UPDATE] In a later report via Reuters: Somali pirates have released the Greek-owned bulk carrier Free Goddess and its 21 Filipino crew members after holding the vessel for more than eight months, the secretary general of the Seafarers Union of Kenya said on Friday.
Andrew Mwangura, whose role involves contact with ships sailing the Indian Ocean and catering for crews' welfare, said a ransom was dropped onto the vessel from the air on Oct. 10.
"The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Free Goddess is now free and she is heading to Salalah, Oman, for ... fuel, fresh water and a crew change," Mwangura told Reuters.
Pirates said the ship had been held at Garad, a haven in Puntland that they use.
"We took $5.7 million ransom after holding the ship for months," a pirate in Garad called Mohamed told Reuters.
UAE-based news site Khaleej Times cited an Associated Press report indicating a ransom of $2.3 million was paid.
The amount of the ransom could not immediately be verified independently.
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