Somali pirates have released a Ukrainian ship carrying tanks following a ransom payment.
The MV Faina was captured in September with a crew of 20 and a cargo of 33 Soviet-era T-72 tanks plus other weapons.
A negotiator, who would not be named, told Reuters on Wednesday that the pirates had been paid a ransom of $US3.2 million.
Pirates have captured three boats so far this year, after seizing a record 42 last year in shipping lanes in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean.
More than 20 warships from 14 nations are are on patrol there.
