Ransom paid to free arms-laden Ukrainian ship: pirate leader

"We have released MV Faina. There were only three boys remaining and they delayed the release for one hour, but now the ship is free," Sugule Ali told AFP by phone.   Â

 

"No huge amount has been paid, but something to cover our expenses," he added without giving the exact figure.

 

The MV Faina was captured in September with its 20-man crew and a cargo of 33 Soviet-era T-72 tanks plus other weapons. Its seizure drew international attention, not only for its military cargo, but for a regional row over the destination of the tanks.

 

Somali pirates have captured three boats so far in 2009, after taking a record 42 last year in the busy Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean shipping lanes. Anarchy and an Islamist insurgency onshore have fuelled the upsurge of piracy.

 

In an unprecedented international response, more than 20 warships from 14 nations are patrolling to try to stop the gangs. Piracy has raised insurance costs and prompted some ship owners to send their vessels on longer routes around South Africa instead of via the Suez Canal.