The 6,813-dwt chemical tanker Royal Grace (built1984) has been confirmed as being freed, while media reports say Dynacom’s157,000-dwt suezmax tanker Smyrni (built 2011) is also free.
TheEU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) operating off Somalia said it provided assistance tothe Royal Grace after the vessel was unexpectedly released.
Thepirates had held the vessel after attacking it over a year earlier, on 2 March2012 in the Gulf of Oman.
EUNAVFOR says one of its ships was conducting counter-piracy patrols 20 nauticalmiles off the northern Somali coast on Thursday when it sighted the Royal Gracesailing north from her pirate anchorage at a speed of 4 knots.
Shortlyafterwards, the ship received a radio call from the master of the chemicaltanker, who confirmed that his ship was now free of pirates and that his 20-mancrew were in need of food, water and medical assistance.
EUNAVFOR says the Royal Grace is now en route to Muscat in Oman under the protectionof one of its warships.
TheGreek-owned suezmax tanker, which was seized on 11 May 2012, is also said to beheading towards a port in Oman.
Even though maritimesources are confirming the release of the two ships, they were not able to provide details ofthe negotiations which brought them about.
