A Korean crewman revealed the release of the 7,100–dwt ship(built 2004) in a call to the French owner in the early hours of Wednesday, Koreannews agency Yonhap said.
The vessel went missing off the Ivory Coast on Sundaywith 17 men on board.
The crewman, identified only by his surname Kim, said hewas safe, a Korean government official revealed.
"The pirates were believed to have hijacked thevessel to steal fuel," the official added.
SEA-tankers
