All nine seafarers kidnapped from a JJ Ugland bulker off West Africa have been released.
A photo provided by the Norwegian owner shows the Filipino crew from the 58,105-dwt Bonita (built 2010) looking happy and healthy en route to Manila.
"We are delighted to confirm that late on Friday evening [6 December], the nine crew members from Bonita held as hostages, were released in Nigeria and brought to a safe place in southern Nigeria, after 35 days in captivity," the company said.
All crew members, including the master, have gone through medical examinations and were declared fit to fly the next day.
"Needless to say, the captivity has been a very difficult experience for them. The crew members will receive further care and follow up after arrival in the Philippines. Ugland will continue to work with our crew members throughout their recovery process," the owner added.
Representatives from Ugland headquarters’ in Grimstad, Norway, and "other parties" had been actively engaged in the process of bringing the hostages home and have been present both in Nigeria and the Philippines, the company said.
The men were taken from the ship off Cotonou, Benin.
Shipowner grateful for release
JJ Ugland president Oystein Beisland added: “We are truly happy that the nine crew members are now reunited with their families and have their well-being at heart. I would on behalf of the company like to sincerely thank all parties that have contributed to resolving this difficult situation.”
The release reduces the number of kidnapped seafarers in the region to 23.
Last week, 19 crew members were abducted from Navios Maritime Acquisition's 297,000-dwt Nave Constellation (built 2010), which was located 143 km off Bonny, Nigeria.
And last month, armed assailants abducted four crew members from a tanker off Togo.
The attack occurred in the early morning of 4 November on the 94,100-dwt Elka Aristotle (built 2003), Greek coastguards said.
Two Filipinos, a Greek and a Georgian were taken.
