GREEK-FLAGGED SUPERTANKER FREED IN SOMALIA

Marine observers reported shortly after 08h00 local time (05h00 UTC) that the Greek-flagged VLCC MARAN CENTAURUS was freed and the last pirate had left the ship.

When returning to the shore two of the pirates from the vessel where killed in a gun-fight with a rival pirate militia.

The stash of the record-breaking ransom (over $7m) is reportedly now held in a heavily guarded house in Harardheere and pirates bragged that they even had dished out $500tsd to the crew for what they call "good co-operation", like it was done earlier with the crew of MV Faina, a vessel, which carried battle tanks for Southern Sudan.

The security situation in Harardheere is very tense, since the distribution of the money to the numerous stake-, stick- and share-holders has not yet beeen done.

The nightmare for the 28 seafarers however is over and the tanker is free without an environmental catastrophe.

(Source: Ecoterra Jan. 18, 2010)

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