Pirates free Mombasa bound fertiliser cargo ship after Sh219.3 million ransom

• Turkish-managed general cargo vessel Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged MV Sward was captured by pirates on April 26, 2026.
• The Sward was among several vessels seized by Somali pirates during a sharp resurgence of maritime crime this year.

Kenyan farmers and the fertiliser supply chain could get a reprieve after Somali pirates released a cargo vessel carrying fertiliser bound for Mombasa, ending a four month ordeal that has highlighted rising piracy risks along the Horn of Africa shipping route.

Turkish-managed general cargo vessel Saint Kitts and Nevis-flagged MV Sward was released off Garacad on the Puntland coast after being held by pirates since April 26.

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  Farmers hit as pirates hijack ship carrying fertiliser to Mombasa

  Vessel hijacked by suspected pirates was carrying fertiliser destined for Mombasa.

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  Somali pirates take control of Tanzanian fuel tanker

  The ship, MT Asana, is a Tanzanian-flagged fuel and chemical tanker.