Ship to be freed

The first ship seized by pirates in 2009 is set to be released after owners agreed to pay a ransom, AKE said Friday. The 7,923-dwt general cargo ship Blue Star (built 1977) has been in pirate hands for 37 days, after it was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on 1 January.
AKE does not specify the amount of the ransom, and conflicting reports say the payout is between $1m and more than $3m.Although the Egyptian owners have reportedly agreed to pay for the ship's release, AKE warns that it's not out of bandits' clutches yet. "The development does not necessarily signify that the vessel will be freed imminently and it may be several hours if not days before its release can be confirmed," the risk management firm said. The vessel was carrying 6,000 tonnes of fertiliser when it was snatched. There are 28 crew members on board. The St Kitts and Nevis-flagged, Bureau Veritas-classed Blue Star is controlled by Alfa Marina of Alexandria.