A Mombasa bound cargo ship carrying thousands of tonnes of fertiliser has been released after pirates reportedly received Sh219 million in ransom.
The vessel, MV Sward, was hijacked in late April about six nautical miles off Garacad, Somalia, while sailing from Suez to Mombasa.
The St Kitts and Nevis flagged ship was carrying approximately 4,500 tonnes of fertiliser meant for Kenyan farmers during the planting season.
The ship was under armed control for days, anchored off the Somali coast with 15 crew members on board, including two Indians and 13 Syrians.
Maritime security agencies and the Puntland Maritime Police Force had been monitoring the situation.
Sources indicate negotiations led to the payment, after which the pirates freed it to continue with journey.
The crew is reported safe and the vessel has resumed its voyage to Mombasa under escort.
The hijacking had raised fresh fears of piracy in the Horn of Africa, worsened by rerouting of global shipping through the region.
