Somali pirates have released the tanker that they hijacked earlier this week, European Union naval forces have confirmed.
The EU Naval Force (Somalia) confirmed that the 1,800-dwt Aris 13 (built 1991) and her crew are now en route to a safe port on the north coast of Somalia.
“The master confirmed that his crew had suffered no injuries during their four-day ordeal,” the statement from EU Navfor added.
The armed pirates, who had been holding the crew since 13 March 2017, are reported to have departed the ship.
It is understood that members of the Puntland Maritime Police Force assisted with the ship’s release and are currently on board.
Experts said its low freeboard made the Aris 13, which was the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates since May 2012, particularly vulnerable.
