U.S.-owned chemical tanker freed by pirates

Somali pirates have freed a U.S.-owned chemical tanker that was hijacked last November--with its unarmed three-man security team jumping ship to avoid capture.

Stamford, Connecticut, headquartered Industrial Shipping Enterprises Corp., a provider of seaborne transportation for chemical cargoes, says that the vessel, the MV Biscaglia, has now cleared Somali waters, and is currently steaming under its own power to a safe port..

"I am grateful for the sacrifice of the crew and their families, all who exhibited courage and dignity under extreme circumstances said James Christodoulou, President and CEO of Industrial Shipping Enterprises Corp. "Our team worked tirelessly to secure the safe release of the men and the ship, and we are extremely fortunate to put this event behind us."

"The vessel was released following a ransom by air-drop," reports quote Andrew Mwangura, coordinator of the East African Seafarers Assistance Program, as saying.