On September 11, Somali pirates released the Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged cargo vessel Sward and its 17 crew members near Garacad, Puntland. The ship had been held captive for approximately 138 days after being seized by armed groups off the coast of Somalia on April 26, while en route from the Suez Canal to Mombasa. The crew consists of 15 Syrian nationals and two Indian nationals.
The pirates departed the ship after receiving a ransom, utilizing small boats to reach the shore, where vehicles awaited them near Garacad. Reports indicate that the crew remained on board and were in good health following the ordeal. A Puntland security source confirmed to AFP that the pirates had indeed received payment for the vessel’s release.
The exact amount of the ransom remains a matter of dispute, with various reports suggesting figures ranging from $200,000 to as high as $2.7 million. While Puntland sources and AFP-based reports acknowledged that money exchanged hands, they did not provide a consistent figure.
The Sward, operated by Asena Shipping based in the Marshall Islands, is part of the fleet belonging to Mersin-based Alphamoon Shipping. At the time of its seizure, the ship was transporting approximately 4,500 tonnes of subsidized fertilizer intended for Kenya’s National Cereals and Produce Board and tea cooperatives.
