German vessel released by Somalian pirates arrives in Oman
A German cargo ship with Russian and Ukrainian crew members onboard that was recently held by Somalian pirates for some six weeks has arrived in the port of Salala, in Oman, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said on Monday according to RIA Novosti.
"The sailors are in a satisfactory condition," the report says.
A Ukrainian delegation, including a Ukrainian human rights envoy and officials from the foreign, emergencies and health ministries has arrived in Oman.
The vessel, seized on May 28, was released on July 8 after a ransom of $750,000 was paid. The vessel, with 15 crew members onboard, including a Russian captain and four Ukrainians, was seized in the Gulf of Aden along with a Turkish ship, which was later released. Another crew member is from Estonia, and the remaining eleven are from Myanmar.
On July 11, the vessel ran adrift due to an engine malfunction. On July 15, after four days adrift, a tug boat rescued the ship and towed it to Oman.
The waters off the East African nation are considered among the most dangerous in the world. According to the United Nations, nearly 30 pirate attacks on civilian ships have occurred in the area since the start of this year.
Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991, and a transitional government established with UN assistance in 2004 has failed to gain control over the country.