The 23 crew members of Bangladesh-flagged vessel MV Abdullah, released by Somali pirates on 14 April after a reported payment of $5 million ransom, reached Chattogram port by a lighter vessel from the Kutubdia anchorage area at 4:00pm on Tuesday.

They reached the Jetty No.1 of the New-mooring Container Terminal (NCT) of Chattogram Port, said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Meherul Karim of SR Shipping, a subsidiary of the owning authority Kabir Group.

They met family members and officials of the group at the jetty. Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will also be accorded a reception to them, Meherul said.  

Earlier, relievers of the 23 crew members onboard reached the MV Abdullah by a lighter vessel around 8:30pm on Monday and later handing and taking over of charges were held, he added.