Pirates free oil tanker

1/12/2009 9:53:33 AM

A Saudi crude oil carrier hijacked two months was released Friday, after pirates reportedly received a $3 million ransom dropped by parachute.   The hijacking of the Sirius Star, carrying 2 million barrels of oil, spurred international cooperation to fight piracy in the waters off the coast of Somalia.   Photos released by the U.S. Navy showed a parachute and parcel floating toward the ship. Its crew of 25 had been held hostage since Nov. 15.   The pirates had initially demanded $25 million to release the ship.   The ship's owner, Vela International Marine Ltd., did not comment on the event. The Combined Military Forces on patrol off Somalia in a statement said, "It appears Somali pirates have received payment for the very large crude tanker Sirius Star."     A parachute carrying ransom is dropped to pirates aboard the Sirius Star Photo: U.S. Navy/Air Crewman 2nd Class David B. Hudson   The release comes one day after the an announcement by the Navy that it would lead an international force to confront Somali pirates.   The Journal of Commerce Online

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