According to sources monitoring Somali piracy activities, the company operating the MV SWARD, a vessel linked to Saint Kitts and Nevis, has reportedly agreed to pay a ransom of more than $2.7 million to secure the release of the vessel and its crew, who are being held off the coast of Nugaal, Puntland.
The pirates, who confirmed that they received a ransom payment several days ago for the release of the MV Lutuf, are also reportedly still holding a number of other vessels.
The resurgence of piracy has further intensified tensions between Puntland and Somalia’s Federal Government (FGS), with Garowe accusing Mogadishu of contributing to the revival of piracy, which had largely declined along Somalia’s coastline in previous years.
Puntland Times could not independently verify these claims.