Released German container arrives in Kenyan port

A German container ship, MVHansa Stavanger, captured by Somali pirates four months ago docked at the eastern Kenyan port of Mombasa on Saturday with all 24 crewmembers on board.

The ship was released after a ransom of 2.7 million U.S. dollars demanded by pirates was paid.

It was captured off Somali coast in April and had been under the mercy of the sea gangs until Monday when the payment was made.

MV Hansa Stavenger anchored at the port of Mombasa some minutes to mid-day and took three hours to berth after local and foreign journalists declined to move away from berth number 11 and 12 where it was destined.

People said to be the ship's agents did not want journalists to take pictures of the ship and the crew at the port.

The ship was escorted off Somali waters by the German naval warship FGS Brandenburg which is part of a naval force under the banner of European Union navies patrolling the Somali coast.

According to FGS Brandenburg's commanding officer Torsten Ites, all the crew members on board were well.

"We provided medical assistance to the crew because most of the time they were worried that anything might go wrong," said Ites.

He said after being informed the ship had been released on Aug.3, his team sailed towards the vessel and on reaching there, found the pirates had taken off.

The commander said a protection detachment from the German warship went on board MV Hansa Stavanger to ensure security of the crew while the naval ship escorted it.

Despite the presence of foreign navies patrolling the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial ships from being hijacked, Somali pirates have continued to attack and hijack ships, making the waters most dangerous in the world.