Somali pirates demand $3.5 million to free the Dexinhai

• Source: Global Times
• [13:04 November 23 2009]
• Comments

Somali pirates claimed on November 22 they may release the Chinese vessel Dexinhai next week, according to Reuters.

The bulk carrier Dexinhai, owned by Qingdao Ocean Shipping Company, was hijacked on October 19 with 76,000 tonnes of coal and 25 Chinese crew onboard.

"Negotiations between us and the owners to free the Chinese ship are going on now," said a pirate named Mohamed. "We agreed on $3.5 million to free the ship."

Agencies