An Iranian-chartered ship which wasseized in the Gulf of Aden by Somali pirates in November has been released, Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency reported on Saturday.

The ship named "Delight," which was carrying 36,000 tons of wheat when it was hijacked, was released on Friday night, Fars quoted the urgent reaction committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL) as saying.

All 25 members of the crew are now in good health, said the report, adding that the Hong Kong-flagged Delight is sailing towards Iranian port.

The report did not mention whether any ransom had been paid for the release of Delight.

On Friday, Somali pirates also reportedly freed a Saudi-owned super-tanker carrying 2 million barrels of crude oil which was also hijacked in November.

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2009)