Somali pirates released a Japanese chemical tanker and its crew, but seized another one in the Gulf of Aden, despite the presence of several warships patrolling the area, officials said Sunday.
They released the Stolt Valor and its crew of 18 Indians, two Filipinos, a Russian and Bangladeshi, said Andrew Mwangura who runs the Kenya chapter of the Seafarers Assistance Programme. The vessel had been seized on September 15.