Talks on freeing ships with Ukrainian crew from pirates continue

Talks are continuing on freeing from capture by Somali pirates the Ariana, Marathon and Hansa Stavanger ships, which have Ukrainian sailors onboard, Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Vasyl Kyrylych said on Monday, Kyiv Post reported.

He said that the details of the talks cannot be revealed yet. According to his information, all of the sailors are in a satisfactory condition.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry continues its involvement in the process of freeing the ships. The Ukrainian ambassador to Greece has recently met representatives of the Greek company operating the Ariana.

Apart from that, according to Kyrylych, the ministry receives updates on the situation from the companies operating the other ships captured by pirates as well as the families of the crew members.

When asked to provide some details of the negotiation process, Kyrylych said that publicly revealed information might harm the talks.

As reported, Somali pirates hijacked the Hansa Stavanger in the Indian Ocean between Kenya and the Seychelles on April 5.

Somali pirates hijacked the Maltese-flagged Ariana, a British-owned ship operated by Greece's Alloceans Shipping Co. Ltd, on May 2.

The pirates also seized the Netherlands Antilles-flagged MV Marathon, owned by Western Marine Transport NV and operated by the Dutch Cargadoor Amons & Co, with eight Ukrainians on board, on May 7.