MOMBASA, Kenya – Somali pirates have released the Sward, a Mombasa-bound cargo ship, and its 17-member crew after holding the vessel for about 138 days.
The Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged general cargo ship was released near Garacad, Puntland, on Friday, September 11, after armed groups seized it off Somalia on April 26.
The vessel had been sailing from the Suez Canal towards Mombasa when it was attacked.
Its crew comprises 15 Syrian nationals and two Indian nationals, who were reported to be in good health following the release.
Pirates leave after ransom payment
The pirates reportedly abandoned the ship after receiving a ransom and travelled ashore in small boats before boarding vehicles waiting near Garacad.
A Puntland security source told AFP that the pirates had “received money to release the ship”.
However, the amount paid remains unclear.
Haber Denizde reported that $200,000 was paid, while other accounts have estimated the ransom at between $1.7 million and $2.7 million.
Puntland sources and AFP-based reports confirmed that money changed hands but did not provide a consistent figure.
4,500 tonnes of fertiliser destined for Kenya
The Sward was carrying approximately 4,500 tonnes of subsidised fertiliser intended for Kenya’s National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) and tea cooperatives.
The cargo remained inside the ship’s holds throughout the 138-day seizure.
Before the vessel proceeds to Mombasa, it is expected to undergo seaworthiness and other regulatory inspections.
The fertiliser will also undergo laboratory testing to establish whether its composition or condition has been affected during the prolonged captivity.
If it passes the required checks, the fertiliser will be distributed to farmers through NCPB warehouses.
There was no confirmed arrival date for the ship at Mombasa at the time of the release.
Sward reportedly used as pirate mothership
The Sward was reportedly used by the pirates as a mothership, enabling them to operate farther into international waters and launch attacks against other vessels.
Two Iranian fishing vessels and the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Lutuf were among vessels reportedly linked to operations involving the Sward.
The Lutuf was also eventually released, although accounts of how that happened differ.
Puntland sources said a $2.5 million ransom was paid, while Somalia’s federal government attributed the release to sustained pressure from Turkey’s navy and Somali forces.
Somali piracy resurges
The release comes amid renewed concerns over piracy off the Somali coast.
At least 15 attacks have reportedly been recorded in regional waters during 2026, highlighting a resurgence of pirate activity after years of relative decline.
Following the release of the Sward and Lutuf, four commercial vessels were still reported to be in pirate custody.
They are Honour 25, Eureka, Asana and Seamull.
