Somalia pirates release German ship

Somali pirates have freed a German cargo ship, Beluga Nomination, after paying a ransom, pirates and maritime officials said on Wednesday.

The cargo ship, with 9,775 dead weight tonnes, was seized in January by pirates 390 nautical miles north of the Seychelles with its 12-man crew.

Pirates said they had received US$5 million in ransom, but this could not be independently verified.

A spokesman for owners Bremen-based Beluga Shipping yesterday did not want to comment on whether a ransom was paid.

Shipowner of Beluga Nomination says a Russian sailor could be dead

Current status of two sailors – a Russian and a Filipino – attempted an escape from MV Beluga Nomination captured by pirates is still uncertain; the shipowner admits both sailors are dead, said Wednesday press secretary of Ukrainian foreign ministry Alexander Dikusarov referring to German company Beluga Shipping GmbH (the shipowner).

It was reported late in Jan 2011 that Antigua-flagged vessel Beluga Nomination had been captured by pirates 100 km off Seychelles. According to Ukrainian foreign ministry, the 12-man crew consists of Ukrainians, Russians, Filipinos, and Poles. One of two Russians is from St. Petersburg, the second one lives in Kaliningrad, reports Baltic branch of Russian Guild of Sailors.