Somali pirates have released the M/V Free Goddess that has been held hostage since being hijacked in the Arabian Sea back in February, Tradewinds News has reported citing confirmation from its Greek owner.
The 22,051 DWT bulk carrier was hijacked on February 7 while underway approximately 520nm northeast of Socotra Island, Yemen with a crew of 21 Filipinos. At the time of the hijacking, the M/V Free Goddess was enroute from Adabiya, Egypt to Singapore with approximately 19,475 metric tons of steel cable.
The vessel is owned by NASDAQ-listed FreeSeas, Inc. of Athens, Greece and is Liberian-flagged. No word yet on the condition of the crew or the amount of ransom paid.
Following its hijacking, Somali pirates were reportedly demanding $8 million for its release although the actual ransom paid is likely to have been significantly less. The last vessel ransomed by Somali pirates was the M/T Liquid Velvet on June 5 with pirates reportedly collecting $4 million.
Somali pirates are still holding 7 vessels, according to data from the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
FreeSeas, Inc. owns a fleet of seven handysize and handymax dry bulk carriers.
