Pirates released commercial ship Mattheos I with Ukrainian sailors on board; the ship had been hijacked in the Gulf of Guinea, reported Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on Sept 24.
As was earlier reported, pirates attacked merchant ship Mattheos I (Cyprus-flagged, Spanish-operated) on Sept 14 off Benin in the Gulf of Guinea. On board the ship were Filipino, Spanish, Peruvian, and two Ukrainian sailors.
“According to information received by Ukrainian Embassy to the Kingdom of Spain, on Sept 24 commercial ship Mattheos I (with 23 crewmen including 2 Ukrainians) captured by Somali pirates on Sept 14 was released” , said the press release.
Reportedly, the ship is heading for the nearest safe port where shipowner’s representatives and Ukrainian diplomats will settle the question of the crew repatriation. Exact site of the ship’s arrival is being presently specified.
This incident is still under special control of Ukrainian embassies in Spain, Nigeria, Cyprus, and Department of Consular Service of Ukrainian foreign ministry.
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Source: RusNavy, September 27, 2011