The operator of the 1,740-teu Hansa Marburg (built2007), Leonhardt & Blumberg, saysthe Ukrainian, Russian and Kiribati nationals are “safe and in good spirits”following 31 days in captivity.
In a statement thecompany thanked the family members of the men for their “patience and courage”and praised the government agencies that assisted in bringing what it described as a “difficultsituation” to a close.
The Hamburg-based shipmanagerdid not indicate whether a ransom was paid, which may not come as a surprisegiven concerns that such information could encourage further criminal acts ofthis kind in a region where incidents of armed kidnappings are on the rise.
The Hansa Marburg, which according to the Equasis database is owned by a German KG (limited partnership), was boarded by gunmen on 22April some 130 miles south-west of Malabo inEquatorial Guinea.
As we reported the vessel and 14 other crewmembers whowere on board during the late night raid escaped unscathed.
