BERLIN — Somali pirates released a German freighter after a ransom was paid yesterday, nearly four months after the ship was seized in the Indian Ocean, a European Union naval spokesman said.
British Royal Navy Cmdr. John Harbour said the 20,000-ton Hansa Stavanger, taken 400 miles off the southern Somali port of Kismayu on April 4, was released several hours after the payment was made.
“She put to sea on her own steam and she is continuing out to sea under the protection of European naval force units,” he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel “hopes that the released crew members and their families can recover as quickly as possible from the stress and emotional strain of the past weeks,” a spokeswoman said.
Harbour said the EU did not get involved in ransom deals and he could not confirm reports that $2.7 million had been paid.