IRAN has released all the crew members of the 15,000-TEU MSC Aries that were seized by Iranian special forces last month, reports Singapore's Splash 247.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, speaking to Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, explained that the captured ship had deactivated its transponders while in Iran's territorial waters, posing a threat to navigation security.

The ship, which has ties to Israel, remains anchored alongside three other vessels that were hijacked by Iranian special forces.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier operated by NYK, remains in Yemeni waters after being seized six months ago by the Houthis.

Additionally, off the Horn of Africa, Somali pirates have resumed their practice of ransom-taking, having abducted two ships in recent months.