A Greek-owned chemical tanker that was seized by Somali pirates almost a month ago has been released after a ransom was paid, it was revealed on Saturday.

The Liberian-flagged MV Genius was hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on September 25 with 19 crew on board. The Merchant Marine Ministry said that the seamen, from Georgia, Sri Lanka and Syria had not been harmed.

The ministry said on Saturday that the Greek vessel was on its way to the United Arab Emirates after the owners paid the pirates for its release. The size of the ransom was not made public.

Over the past two weeks, Somali pirates have seized eight vessels, including a Saudi supertanker carrying some $100 million worth of crude oil. It is thought that the pirates are still holding two more Greek vessels.

A Greek navy frigate is one of four warships that now patrols the 3,900-kilometer coastline of Somalia.