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Pirates free ship five months on Pirates free ship five months on
(40 minutes later)
Somali pirates have freed a ship and its crew of 23 Filipinos after holding them for five months. Somali pirates have freed a chemical tanker and its crew of 23 Filipinos after holding them for five months.
The owner of the Stolt Strength said securing the release of vessel and crew had been "difficult and protracted". The owner of the Stolt Strength said securing the release had been "difficult and protracted".
The ship was seized on 10 November last year in the Gulf of Aden while carrying a chemical cargo from Senegal to India. It is not known if a ransom was paid. The ship was seized on 10 November last year in the Gulf of Aden while en route from Senegal to India. It is not known if a ransom was paid.
Somalia has had no stable government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness that has allowed piracy to thrive.Somalia has had no stable government since 1991, fuelling the lawlessness that has allowed piracy to thrive.
Doris Deseo, wife of Carlo Deseo, the ship's 31-year-old third mate, told AP news agency: "They have been released, thank God! I am super happy."Doris Deseo, wife of Carlo Deseo, the ship's 31-year-old third mate, told AP news agency: "They have been released, thank God! I am super happy."
The ship's owner, Sagana Shipping Inc, declined to say whether it paid any ransom for Tuesday morning's release of the ship and crew. The vessel's owner, Sagana Shipping Inc, declined to say whether any ransom was paid for Tuesday morning's release.
But Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, told AFP news agency: "We think that something was paid but we don't know what." Andrew Mwangura, of the East African Seafarers Assistance Programme, told AFP news agency: "We think that something was paid but we don't know what."
Relatives of the crew have said the ransom the pirates were demanding was haggled down to just over $2m (£1.4m) by last week. Haggling
Nato warships are patrolling the seas around the Horn of Africa nation and over the past weeks have stepped up their action against the pirates, freeing a number of ships. Relatives of the crew have said the pirates' ransom demand was haggled down to just over $2m (£1.4m) by last week.
Nato warships are patrolling the seas around the Horn of Africa nation and have stepped up their action against the pirates over the past weeks, freeing a number of ships.
Piracy: Global overview
The release came a day after a separate group of bandits freed the Lebanese-owned food aid freighter MV Sea Horse after receiving a ransom of $100,000 (£68,000).
The Stolt Strength's case was one of the longest-running hijackings by sea brigands in the busy maritime trade routes of the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.The Stolt Strength's case was one of the longest-running hijackings by sea brigands in the busy maritime trade routes of the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
The Ukrainian MV Faina weapons ship was also held by Somali pirates for five months before being released in February for a ransom of $3.2m (£2.2m).The Ukrainian MV Faina weapons ship was also held by Somali pirates for five months before being released in February for a ransom of $3.2m (£2.2m).
It came as a Somali teenager accused of being one of the pirates who held a US sea captain hostage was flown from Africa to the US to face trial.
Abde Wale Abdul Kadhir Muse, who smiled broadly upon arrival in New York, is the first person to be tried in the US on piracy charges in more than a century, according to AP.
He was held over the seizure on 8 April off Somalia of Richard Phillips, captain of the Maersk Alabama cargo ship.
Earlier, his mother rang the BBC Somali Service to appeal to US President Barack Obama to free him.
After a five-day standoff, naval snipers shot dead the three pirates holding the captain, while her son was allegedly negotiating on a US warship.
Shipping companies last year handed over about $80m (£54m) in ransom payments to pirate gangs.
Shipping ban
Just before receiving news of the hostages' release, the Philippine government decided to ban its sailors working on ships that might travel through the Gulf of Aden.
Several government departments are working on the precise wording of the measure, and its scope and efficacy remained unclear, but analysts say the ban could have a major effect on world shipping.
"We can understand the frustration of the Philippine government that appears to have prompted the statement," Arthur Bowring, managing director of the Hong Kong Ship-Owners' Association told the BBC.
"But we do have concerns about how such a measure would work in practice," he said.
The Philippines is the world's largest supplier of maritime labour, and about 100 of the 300 sailors currently held hostage by Somali pirates are Filipinos.
Crewing on ships is a major source of employment for Filipinos who lack opportunities at home, and the current economic climate makes their dependence on overseas work even higher.