Report: Nigerian Pirates Free MV Demeters Crew

Shipspotting The crew of the Liberia-flagged containership MV Demeter has been released by Nigerian pirates, the Associated Press reports citing a spokesman for Peter Doehle Schiffahrts-KG, Cor Radings. According to Radings, the seafarers are in good condition and have returned to their families after more than two weeks in captivity. The terms of the crews release have not been disclosed. World Maritime News is yet to receive an official confirmation from the company regarding the freeing of the six sailors. The six crew members, including the captain, were kidnapped from the MV Demeter while the ship was sailing some 50 nautical miles south-west of Bonny, Nigeria on October 21st. An armed group of eight pirates managed to board the boxship after an exchange of fire. The 3,104 TEU ship, part of Germany’s Peter Dohle Schiffahrts fleet, was escorted to a safe anchorage after the attack. The remaining crew members were reported to be safe. Data from IMB ICC shows that 80 crew members were taken hostage in the first nine months of this year, three were injured and 2 killed in attacks on ships off Nigeria. World Maritime News Staff; Image Courtesy: Shipspotting