19 Jan 2010

Oil tanker ransomed

6:03 am on 19 January 2010

The European Union says Somali pirates have released a Greek-flagged oil tanker, a day after an aircraft dropped a ransom of at least $US5.5 million in cash on to its deck.

The release of the tanker, the Maran Centaurus, had been delayed because of a quabble between rival pirates gangs over the ransom.

The ship is carrying about two million barrels of crude oil. It was captured on 29 November near the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, about 1,300km off Somalia.

The 28 crew are reported to be safe.