Nine gunmen suspected of trying to hijack the 47,000-dwt Torm Kansas (built 2006) were given DKK 19,600 ($3,247) each on the grounds that they were detained too long before being brought to court.
The hijack attempt took place in November 2013.
A Danish Navy support vessel held the pirates for 13 days before they were found not guilty by a judge.
The compensation had nothing to do with their innocence.
According to Danish law, a citizen cannot be held in custody for more than 24 hours without being brought in front of a judge.
