MOMBASA, Kenya: Somali pirates have released the cargo ship Sward and its 17 crew members after holding the vessel for about 138 days, ending a prolonged hijacking that disrupted the delivery of fertiliser destined for Kenyan farmers.
The Saint Kitts and Nevis flagged general cargo vessel was released near Garacad in Puntland on Friday, September 11, 2026, after armed groups seized it off the Somali coast on April 26 while it was travelling from the Suez Canal towards Mombasa.
The crew consists of 15 Syrian nationals and two Indian nationals. They remained aboard the vessel after the pirates departed and were reported to be in good health.
The pirates reportedly left the ship after receiving a ransom before travelling towards the shore in small boats and later getting into vehicles waiting near Garacad.
A Puntland security source told AFP that the pirates had, “received money to release the ship”.
The amount of the ransom remains unclear, with different reports giving substantially different figures. Haber Denizde reported that $200,000 was paid, while other accounts put the payment at between about $1.7 million and $2.7 million.
Puntland sources and AFP based reports confirmed that a payment was made, but no consistent figure has been provided.
Sward is operated by Marshall Islands based Asena Shipping and forms part of the fleet of Mersin based Alphamoon Shipping.
The vessel was carrying approximately 4,500 tonnes of subsidised fertiliser intended for Kenya’s National Cereals and Produce Board and tea cooperatives.
Fertiliser to undergo testing
The fertiliser remained in the vessel’s holds during the entire period of captivity.
Before the ship can berth at the Port of Mombasa, it is expected to undergo seaworthiness and regulatory inspections. Laboratory tests will also be conducted to establish whether the fertiliser has deteriorated or whether its composition has been affected during the lengthy seizure.
If the cargo passes the required inspections and laboratory checks, it is expected to be transported through National Cereals and Produce Board warehouses for distribution to farmers.
No confirmed date has been given for Sward’s arrival in Mombasa.
Ship reportedly used as pirate mothership
The vessel was reportedly used by the pirates as a mothership, enabling armed groups to operate farther from Somalia’s coastline and launch attacks against vessels in international waters.
Two Iranian fishing vessels and the Cameroon flagged cargo ship Lutuf were among vessels reportedly linked to operations involving Sward.
There are also conflicting accounts surrounding the release of Lutuf. Puntland sources reported that a $2.5 million ransom was paid, while Somalia’s federal government attributed the vessel’s release to sustained pressure from Turkey’s navy and Somali forces.
The release of Sward comes amid renewed concerns over piracy in waters around the Horn of Africa. At least 15 attacks have reportedly been recorded in the region during 2026.
Following the release of Sward and Lutuf, four commercial vessels were reported to remain in pirate custody: Honour 25, Eureka, Asana and Seamull.
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