3 Apr 2011

Hijacked carrier freed at sea

10:01 am on 3 April 2011

Special forces from the United Arab Emirates have freed a ship hijacked by pirates in the Arabian Sea.

The WAM news agency said the hijackers surrendered after troops stormed the bulk carrier MV Arrilah-I.

The BBC reports it was seized on Friday while en route from Australia to Dubai.

The carrier is owned by a shipping subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, which said all the crew were safe and well.

Pirates currently hold at least 31 vessels and 694 hostages captured off the coast of Somalia.