Somali pirates release crew of hijacked UAE-based ship after deal

After a year in captivity, sailors working for a UAE-based shipping company are finally set to return home after being released by the Somali pirates.

The 21 men reached an agreement with the company management about settlement of their pending dues on Sunday.

Two of the sailors, who were in critical condition, flew to India on the same day, while the remaining men are scheduled to depart on March 19.

MV Royal Grace was sailing towards Nigeria when it was hijacked by Somali pirates on March 2, 2012.

The pirates had demanded a ransom of nearly Dh6 million, threatening to kill all hostages if the money wasn't paid.

It is not clear how much ransom was finally given to get the chemical tanker freed from the pirates.

A Nigerian sailor had died soon after the hijacking due to poor health.

Among those who were freed are 17 Indians, including five from Kerala, two Nigerians, two Bangladeshis and a Pakistani sailor.

The ship was spotted by the European Union Naval Force on March 15 and was escorted to the port of Salalah, Oman.

The sailors, however, had refused to leave the country unless they received at least six months of their pending salary from the company.

Family members of the Indian sailors placed political pressure on its government to intervene in the matter.

On Saturday, the Kerala government flew down the Chief Minister’s Secretary, N Shivadas, who was on a visit to Saudi Arabia to monitor the situation.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7, Shivadas said: “Finally the ordeal is over. We have been waiting for their release for several months now.”

The crew has now settled to accept payment of three months’ salary. The pending wages will be paid later, he added.

“The Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy too has been intensely lobbying for the Indian government to intervene in the matter. The Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also requested the Nigerian government to assist in the matter,” he added.

According to Shivadas, the ship’s owner, Tony Apalli, a Nigerian national, moved back to his country following the hijacking and was helping the cause.

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