The oil tanker with 22 Indian crew members that went missing in Benin on Friday was found. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj confirmed the ship was found and the 22 Indians were safe.
Swaraj tweeted, “I am happy to inform that Merchant Ship Marine Express, with 22 Indian nationals on board has been released.” As suspected pirates had hijacked the ship in Benin.
The External Affairs Minister also thanked the Benin and Nigerian governments for their support and help. On Monday, Swaraj contacted her Nigerian counterpart and asked to help to track down the missing tanker.
It has not been reported if any negotiations were made with the pirates to release the vessel and the cargo. On the 1st of February the Marine Express was anchored in Cotonou in the Gulf of Guinea in Benin when the pirates took over the vessel. The Pirates switched off all the communication systems before setting sail.
The cargo of 13,500 tons of gasoline remained on board after the pirates released the vessel.
