Landing the Big One

Landing the Big One

Friday, June 22, 2007

Somali pirates let go captured Indian dhow


Apparently, after they struck a deal with its owner, Somali pirates turn loose a captured Indian dhow:
Somali pirates have released an Indian merchant ship after holding it for a month, but four others were still being held, a maritime official said on Friday.

The MV Nimatullah, a dhow with 14 Indian crew members and a cargo of 800 tonnes seized close to Mogadishu on May 24, was free and its crew safe, East African Seafarers Assistance Programme Director Andrew Mwangura said.

"The dhow was released about three days ago, it is currently offloading its cargo in Kismayu port," Mwangura told Reuters.
***
fishing boat from Taiwan, two from Tanzania and a Danish cargo ship are still being held.They were seized at various times.

The Nimatullah's cargo of clothes, sugar, cooking oil, slippers and cosmetics belong to Somali businessman Sheikh Saney.

"We believe the gunmen reached a deal with the Somali owner of the cargo," he told Reuters. He could not confirm if a ransom demanded by the pirates had been paid, and Saney could not immediately be reached for comment.

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