Somali pirates release Singapore-registered tanker
Somali pirates released a hijacked palm oil tanker and 21 crew members, but kept four South Koreans as hostages, the ship's Singapore-based operator said on Thursday.
The pirates promised to release all 25 crew members on Wednesday but instead took the four South Koreans ashore and they are believed to be in Somalia, Glory Ship Management Pte Ltd said.
'We are expending all efforts to secure the release of the four South Koreans still held as hostage,' Glory said.
Pirates had seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28,000 tons of crude palm oil off the coast of Kenya on April 16 while it was en route from Indonesia, it said.
Glory said the released crew members - 13 Indonesians, five Chinese and three people from Burma - were in good health.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it was cooperating closely with Glory to seek the four crew members' release. It reiterated South Korea's position not to negotiate with pirates.
In January, the South Korean military killed eight Somali pirates and captured five others in a raid on a hijacked South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Arabian Sea.
The five captured pirates were taken to South Korea and received long prison terms.
The pirates promised to release all 25 crew members on Wednesday but instead took the four South Koreans ashore and they are believed to be in Somalia, Glory Ship Management Pte Ltd said.
'We are expending all efforts to secure the release of the four South Koreans still held as hostage,' Glory said.
Pirates had seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28,000 tons of crude palm oil off the coast of Kenya on April 16 while it was en route from Indonesia, it said.
Glory said the released crew members - 13 Indonesians, five Chinese and three people from Burma - were in good health.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said it was cooperating closely with Glory to seek the four crew members' release. It reiterated South Korea's position not to negotiate with pirates.
In January, the South Korean military killed eight Somali pirates and captured five others in a raid on a hijacked South Korean-operated cargo ship in the Arabian Sea.
The five captured pirates were taken to South Korea and received long prison terms.