Somali pirates have freed a German-owned chemical tanker, reportedly after a ransom of $US5.5 million was paid.
The Marida Marguerite was seized in May.
Officials in Kenya said a ransom was paid, but there has been no independent confirmation.
The BBC reports pirates now hold 25 vessels and 587 hostages after they seized another German-owned ship on Monday, about 200 miles north-east of the port of Salalah in Oman.
The ship was on its way to Greece from Dubai, carrying a cargo of petroleum coke.
One Tuesday afternoon, the Marida Marguerite was reported to be sailing to safe waters.