Reports from Somalia say pirates holding a Ukrainian ship loaded with weapons have received a ransom worth more than $3m (£2.1m).
The pirates seized the MV Faina and its crew of 20 off the Somali coast in September last year.
It is the highest profile vessel in the custody of the pirates.
After months of tortuous negotiations and a number of stalled attempts to free it, the ship and its crew appear to be on the verge of freedom.
Its cargo includes 33 T-72 battle tanks, spare parts, rocket launchers and small arms.
The ship was bound for the port of Mombasa in Kenya and although the Kenyan government insisted the cargo was theirs, the manifest indicated that it was intended for South Sudan.
Either way, the nature of the cargo complicated and prolonged negotiations over the ransom, which now finally seems to have been paid – reportedly $3.2m.
It is impossible to confirm whether that is indeed the case, but sources in Mombasa say the ship could be released sometime on Thursday, and it is expected to dock over the weekend.
When that happens, the focus will shift to the cargo of weapons and its final destination.
BBC
