Japanese ship released after owners pay ransom

Mumbai, Nov 16 (UNI) The Japanese ship 'Mt Stolt Valor', with 18 Indian sailors aboard and hijacked in the Gulf of Aden by Somalian pirates two months ago on September 15, was released today after the shipowners paid a ransom of 2.75 million dollars.

National Union Seafarers of India general secretary Abdul Ganij Serang, talking to UNI from Hong kong, said all the conditions had been fulfilled and the crew would reach Mumbai by November 18.

The crew also included two Filipinos, one Pakistani and one Bangladeshi.

The Filipinos were released one-and-a-half months ago after the Philippines government paid ransom for their release.

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