French officials call for more antipiracy

French officials have called for the United Nations to adopt new laws and a create a force to fight pirates, in the wake of the successful release Friday of 30 hostages from the CMA CGM cruise ship Le Ponant.

No passengers were on the ship at the time it was attacked by Somali pirates.

CMA CGM Group confirmed the entire crew of the cruise ship had been liberated. The crewmembers were released after a large ransom was paid -- variously described in media as 1.3 million euro,  million or $2 million.

Then French troops attacked the pirates when they came ashore, capturing six.

French officials said no pirates were killed though the news service Agence France Press said Somali officials and witnesses said three people were killed. 

Source: American Shipper