Pirates free Greek ship with 18 Filipino crew

MANILA, Philippines — Somali pirates have released a Greek-owned chemical tanker that was seized on March 25 along with its 19 crew members, including 18 Filipinos, the Associated Press reported late Monday night. The MT Nipayia was freed on Saturday, said the report, quoting the ship's manager, Lotus Shipping Co Ltd. The company declined to say whether a ransom was paid or where the ship was being held. In a statement Monday, the Athens-based company said any discussion on the matter "is considered highly irresponsible and could endanger the lives of those crews still being held and those of crews taken in the future." Lotus Shipping says the 18 Filipino crewmen and the Russian captain are well, and the ship is headed for a safe harbor. The 9,000-ton Nipayia was seized 450 miles (720 kilometers) off Somalia. With the release of the Nipayia and its crew, the total number of Filipinos still being held by Somali pirates is now down to 58 on board four vessels. Earlier this month, the Marshall Island-flagged cargo vessel MV Saldanha and its 19 Filipino crew were released after the owner allegedly paid an undisclosed amount of ransom to the Somali bandits. This followed the release on April 21 of the Philippine-flagged MV Stolt Strength with its 23 all-Filipino crew. Both vessels and their crews returned to the Philippines on Saturday. - GMANews.TV