Pirates release tanker, take cargo ship

Pirates release tanker, take cargo ship    The European Union’ Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta (Eunavfor) said pirates released a very large crude carrier last week, but captured another cargo ship off the coast of Oman.
   The VLCC Irene SL was released from pirate control on April 7, about two months after being seized by pirates on Feb. 9, about 350 nautical miles southeast of Muscat in the North Arabian Sea.
   The Greek owner of the tanker said 25 crewmembers were safe and in good health and that the ship was making for a safe port, Eunavfor reported
   Meanwhile, Eunavfor said early April 8 the general cargo ship Susan K was pirated about 200 nautical miles northeast of Salalah, Oman, just 35 nautical miles from the Omani coastline.
   The vessel was attacked and boarded by at least 10 pirates although exact details of the attack are not known at this time.
   The ship was flagged in Antigua & Barbuda flagged and German owned. It was on its way to Port Sudan from Mumbai when it was attacked. There was no word on its crew of four Ukraine and six Filipino seafarers.