Pirates release hijacked Indian vessel

Mumbai, Jan 11: The seven Indian crewmen on board the bulk cargo carrier M V Delight have been released on Friday, Jan 9. M V Delight was hijacked by Somali pirates near the Gulf of Aden on November 18. On Friday, Jan 9 the pirates released the vessel and 25 crew members on board, Directorate General of Shipping said in a statement.

Last year alone, pirates operating off the Somali coast carried out more than 130 attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, turning the region into the world"s most dangerous waters. Somali pirates caused havoc in one of the world"s busiest shipping lanes in 2008, hijacking dozens of ships including the Hong Kong-flagged Delight and Saudi supertanker Sirius Star with its $100 million worth of crude.

Iran"s biggest shipping firm said Delight, a cargo ship ferrying 36,000 tonnes of wheat to Iran from Germany was released on Friday, Jan 9 the same day a Saudi tanker was freed after a $3 million ransom was parachuted onto its deck.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)