ST. PETERSBURG, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - The Arctic Sea cargo vessel left a Maltese port for Algeria on Wednesday to resume its route interrupted by hijackers in the Atlantic Ocean this summer, the operating company said.
"The ship has departed for Algeria," the Solchart company said.
The freighter was handed over to Maltese authorities in late October. The ship was given permission to enter the port following a thorough inspection by Maltese officials.
Last Monday, four sailors, who had remained on board the Arctic Sea, returned to their home base in northern Russia. The ship is now sailing under a new 14-member crew.
Viktor Matveyev, director of Solchart, which holds a 100% stake in the Maltese owner of the ship, said earlier after the Arctic Sea accomplishes its mission to deliver the long-overdue cargo to its customer, it would be used in the Russian Far East.
The Arctic Sea disappeared in the Atlantic on July 24 while carrying a $2 million shipment of timber from Finland to Algeria. It was intercepted by the Russian Navy off West Africa on August 17, when eight alleged hijackers were arrested.
The ship's disappearance, which triggered a major international search effort, raised suspicions that it was carrying a "secret cargo" of drugs or weapons. Russian authorities have denied the rumors, saying the vessel was hijacked by criminals who demanded a ransom.
