News

Somali pirates freed a Turkish ship after a pirate source said the hijackers received a $1.5 million ransom. A regional maritime official confirmed the bulk carrier Horizon-1, which was seized on July 8 with 23 Turkish crew members on board, had been released.

The Basque fishing tuna boat ''Alakrana'' was also hijacked in the Indian Ocean last week. At least 134 crew members are believed to be held by Somali pirates.

Here is a list of ships under their control:

Bermeo''s (Biscay) ALAKRANA: Seized on Oct. 2, 2009. The 3,716 tonne fishing vessel has a crew of 36 and a home port in the Basque Country. The Seychelles coastguard said the ship was seized 400 nautical miles northwest of Mahe. The ship had previously escaped an attempted hijack on Sept. 4.

WIN FAR 161: Taiwanese tuna boat, seized April 6, 2009.

ARIANA: Seized May 2, 2009. The Ariana was seized north of
Madagascar en route to the Middle East from Brazil. The 24
Ukrainian crew were said to be unhurt. The ship, flying a
Maltese flag, belongs to All Oceans shipping in Greece.

CHARELLE: Seized on June 12, 2009. The 2,800-tonne cargo
ship carrying about nine crew, was attacked 60 miles south of
Oman.

* PIRACY FACTS:
-- Piracy attacks around the world more than doubled to 240 during the first six months of the year from 114 in the same period in 2008, the ICC International Maritime Bureau''s Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB) said in July.

-- The rise in overall numbers is due almost entirely to increased Somali pirate activity. In the first half of 2009 attacks soared to 148 from 25 in the same period a year ago.

-- Of those 148 attacks, 31 resulted in successful hijackings by Somali pirates, including one attack off Oman''s coast. In 2008, there were 111 incidents including 42 vessels hijacked in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.

-- Nearly 20,000 ships pass through the Gulf of Aden each
year, heading to and from the Suez Canal.