Hamburg (Germany), Aug 4 (DPA) The German shipping company Leonhardt and Blumberg late Monday confirmed the release of its container ship Hansa Stavanger and crew of 24 from the hands of Somali pirates.

Pirates released the ship after payment of ransom in the amount of $2.7 million according to the Somali pirates.

The 20,000-tonne ship was set free off the coast of Somalia and was on its way to Mombasa, Kenya, where it was expected to arrive Thursday, said the company's head Frank Leonhardt in a statement.

Leonhardt said the negotiations with the pirates were 'extremely difficult' and that his main priority was the safe return of the 24 crew members.