Somali pirates release Malta-flagged ship

Somali pirates have released the Maltese-flagged vessel MT Ariana and its 24 Ukrainian crew more than six months after it was seized, its Greek owner told Reuters today.

The ship, which was carrying corn and soya, was captured on May 2 north off Magadascar en route to Iran from Brazil. The owners said earlier on Thursday they had paid an undisclosed amount in ransom.

"The ship was released a few hours ago and the pirates have left," Spyros Minas, the head of Alloceans Shipping, told Reuters. "The ship is now sailing to the Middle East."