Singapore - A Singapore shipper says Somali pirates have released a hijacked palm oil tanker and 21 crew members, but kept four South Koreans as hostages.
Glory Ship Management Pte. Ltd. says pirates seized the Singapore-registered MT Gemini and its more than 28 000 ton of crude palm oil off the coast of Kenya on April 16. The ship was traveling from Indonesia to Kenya.
It says the pirates promised to release all 25 crew members on Wednesday but instead took the four South Koreans ashore. The company says it is still trying to secure their release.
It said in a statement Thursday that the released crew members are in good health. It said there are 13 Indonesians, five Chinese and three people from Myanmar. - Sapa-AP