Incident: Stolt Strength released

The chemical tanker Stold Strength, owned and operated by Phillipines concerns, has been released by pirates along with 23 crew. "Sagana Shipping Inc, the registered owner of the ship, said in a statement on Tuesday that securing the release of the ship and its crew was 'difficult and protracted,' but declined to say whether any ransom was paid for releasing the ship." The vessel had been held for five months. (RTTNews, 04/21/09)

"Andrew Mwangura, who heads the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, said all crew members were safe and added that the ship was headed to the Indian port of Kandla but might call at an African port on the way." The ship had been chartered by Norway's Stolt-Nielsen and its ownership involves some Japanese interests. (AFP, 04/20/09)