Independent-Primero

After three weeks six kidnapped crew members of the "Demeter" have been released. The Peter Döhle Schiffahrts-KG had negotiated with the pirates who had attacked the ship on Oct 21 at 6 a.m. off Onne. The remaining 12 crew members had taken the ship to safe waters. There was no information whether a ransom was paid.

After six crew members of the "Demeter" have been kidnapped in Nigerian waters on Oct 22, 2017, the top priority of the Peter Doehle Schiffahrts KG was to try and establish contact with the kidnappers and try to have a quick and safe release of the seafarers. Four of the six abducted crew members were Filipinos. Preliminary information indicated one Ukrainian citizen was among the kidnapped. One Hungarian national was also taken hostage. There were no German nationals among the kidnapped. The vessel has moved away from Nigerian waters with the 12 remaining crew being safe.

German container ship DEMETER attack Update: According to Reuters, 6 kidnapped crew include 4 Filipino, 1 Ukrainian and 1 Hungarian nationalities. Most probably, Ukrainian seaman is an officer or Captain.