Kidnapped crew members have been released, shipping firm says

GREENWICH — Four crew members who were kidnapped in late November from a product-tanker vessel owned by Greenwich-based Diamond S Shipping off the coast of the west African nation of Togo have been released, the company announced.

“All four crew members are safe and will undergo further medical examinations today,” the company said in the announcement. “Diamond S would like to thank all those involved in securing their release. Due to the sensitive nature of the incident, Diamond S will provide no further updates on this matter.”

The announcement did not mention whether the company or anyone else paid the kidnappers to release the crew members, who were freed on Wednesday.

Diamond S disclosed the incident on Nov. 30, when it said it had received a report about a kidnapping on the Agisilaos vessel on Nov. 29 as it was approaching the port of Lome, which is Togo’s capital. The vessel is managed and crewed by Capital Ship Management Corp., which informed Diamond S of the kidnapping.

There were 22 seafarers aboard when the attack occurred, and there were no reported injuries, the company said in the Nov. 30 announcement.

On its website, Diamond S describes itself as “one of the largest energy shipping companies providing seaborne transportation of crude oil and refined petroleum products in the international shipping markets.” It owns and operates 65 vessels on the water, including 14 Suezmax ships, one Aframax and 50 mediumrange product tankers.

The company’s main offices are located at 33 Benedict Place in downtown Greenwich.