Yuan-Xiang

First Chinese diplomatic channels, then the shipowner and finally EU NAVFOR confirmed that the "Yuan Xiang" is free with all crew being accounted for after having been held hostage for 207 days. The hijacked vessel was fist was held at Xabo (Habo) at the Gulf of Aden coast but was then commandeered around the Horn into the Indian Ocean and held off Dhanane, south of Garacad at the North-Eastern coast. Meanwhile it was transferred to Ceel Caduur north of Hobyo at the Central Somali Indian Ocean coast of Somalia. A first release operation was terminated when a ransom delivery was busted by Somali government officials in Mogadishu, who impounded two planes, six foreigners and US$3,6mio in cash - apparently for the release of this vessel and crew.

It looks like Chinese general cargo Yuan Xiang was finally freed and now is sailing to safe waters. The release of the vessel was announced by a pirate in a phone call to Reuters on June 8, and later confirmed by other sources. If ransom was paid, it should be some $US3.6 million. Vessel was about to be released earlier, but Somali authorities seized two aircraft carrying $3.6 million in cash on May 24 2011 and detained six foreigners, Somali government officials said, assuming that it was a planned ransom payment to pirates in order to free hostage vessels and crews. Still, there’s no confirmation either from navies or from manager of the vessel. For unknown reason, two vessels are listed under IMO number 7609192 – tug Oceanus and general cargo Yuan Xiang, Equasis lists Chinese freighter, but AIS tracking websites Vesseltracker.com and Marinetraffic.com list tug. Yuan Xiang highjacked on Nov 12 2010 in pos 18 02.55 N 66 04.39 E. Vessel was enroute from Fujarah UAE. Crew 29, all Chinese. Yuan Xiang – IMO 7609192, dwt 22356, built 1978, flag Panama, owner Hongyuan Marine Co. Ltd.