Hijackers have reportedly demanded a $25 million ransom for the release of the oil tanker Sirius Star, seen here anchored off the coast of Somalia on Wednesday. AFP - Getty ImagesSomali Pirates Pocket At Least $1.67 Million -- MSNBC
2 tankers released after payments to hijackers; U.N. backs arms sanctions
MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali pirates released two hijacked ships after ransoms were paid, U.S. military officials said Thursday. The deals emerged as Britain warned that paying for the release of hostages risks encouraging more piracy.
NBC News reported that the Great Creation, a Hong Kong-flagged chemical tanker seized on Sept. 18, was released after a $1.67 million ransom was paid. The Genius, another Hong Kong-flagged chemical tanker which was hijacked Sept. 26, was also returned in exchange for an unknown sum.
Earlier this week, pirates released the Stolt Valor, a Japanese chemical tanker after paying hijackers $2.5 million.
Read more ....
More News On Naval Piracy
UN approves new Somalia sanctions to reduce arms -- Yahoo News/AP
U.S. Navy says no word on Somali pirate ransom demand -- Yahoo News/Reuters
Military 'only solution' to piracy, says tanker firm -- Yahoo News/AFP
Arab States Meet to Discuss Solution to Pirate Attacks -- Voice of America
UN imposes fresh sanctions on Somalia after piracy talks -- The Guardian
Egypt and Other Red Sea Nations Target Pirates -- Los Angeles Times
Trade Threat as Ships Reroute to Avoid Piracy -- The Times
Somali pirates demand 25 million dollars for Saudi oil tanker -- AFPPirates along African coast send shipping costs soaring -- Yahoo News/McClatchy
Maersk says re-routing some of fleet due piracy -- Alertnet
Fear of piracy blocks global trade route for shipping giant Maersk -- Times Online
Piracy threat off Somalia hikes insurance premiums -- AP
Questions of who bears any loss of the Sirius Star's £68m oil load -- Times Online
Oil Supertankers May Avoid Suez on Somalia Piracy -- Bloomberg
After Hijacking, Saudi Foreign Minister Says Nation Will Join Anti-Piracy Efforts -- Washington Post
India praised for sinking pirates -- Defense Technology News
Kenya: Somali pirates make $150M in a year -- Mercury News
While watching the Somali pirates... -- The Guardian