The 65-year-old Greek engineer and Ukrainian master of the 6,326-dwt Althea (built 2009) are on their way home after being taken hostage on 16 December, according to Ukraine’s foreign ministry.
Piraeus-based Medtankers Management oversees the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel which had a 16 other Ukrainian crew on board at the time of the attack which occurred in the Gulf of Guinea, 33 nautical miles off Akwa Ibom state.
The pirates stole personal items but not the ship’s cargo before making off with the two seafarers.
It is not clear whether a ransom was paid to secure their release.
