Somali Pirates Release Italian Cargo Ship and 21 Crew

Italian-owned cargo ship, MV Rosalia D’Amato, along with its crew of 21 was released from Somali pirate control on Friday after being hijacked in April off the coast of Oman. 

The MV Rosalia D’Amato was travelling to Iran from Brazil carrying a cargo of soya when it was captured by Somalis in April.  The ship’s crew had six Italians, and 15 Filipinos aboard who were taken to the coast of Somalia after the ship’s seizure.

The crewmen of the 74,500-ton bulk carrier are doing considerably well for living in pirate captivity for 7 months, according to a NATO anti-piracy admiral.  According to AP reports, the ship was released after a ransom payment was dropped from a small airplane. 

PHOTO: MV Rosalia D’Amato, courtesy of EUNAVFOR

A representative from Naples-based Perseveranza, owner of the Rosalia, told reporters that the crew will be brought back to Italy within the next few days. 

UPDATE: gCaptain has reported the ransom payment totaled $6 million for the release of the vessel and crew.