The Sirius Star, Saudi Aramco's very large crude carrier, is now en route to a safe point after its release by Somali pirates, a company spokesman said. He did not confirm whether the oil supertanker will berth in Dubai, where the base operation of Vela International Marine Ltd., owner of the ship and a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, is headquartered. “The ship is now heading to a safe point, but we cannot confirm as of now where it will dock,” the spokesman said. The Sirius Star, which made its maiden voyage last March 2008 after its launching from the Daewoo Shipyard in Koje City, South Korea, was released after the pirates received $3 million in ransom. It was seized by Somali pirates approximately 420 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia on Nov. 16, 2008. Saleh K'aki, president and CEO of Vela International, earlier announced from Dubai the release of the oil supertanker and that its crew members are in good health. Philippine Ambassador Antonio Villamor has been monitoring the movement of the ship, which included 19 Filipino seamen among its 25 crew members, since its release by the Somali pirates. “We want to talk and meet the Filipino seamen, and we are coordinating with our consulate in Dubai, in case the ship will dock in Dubai, and with our mobile labor team in Eastern Province, in case the ship will arrive in Jubail,” he said. The release of the 19 Filipino seamen along with other crew members aboard the Sirius Star after 50 days in captivity was received with relief by their families. The Philippine government, however, is still deeply concerned of the condition of 71 Filipino seamen on five other ships that are still held captive by the Somali pirates. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said since April 4, 2008, a total of 200 Filipino seafarers had been seized by pirates in the Gulf of Aden, one of the busiest channels in the world leading to and from the Suez Canal. About 127 of them have been rescued.
