TEHRAN: Iran made contact on Thursday with a hijacked Hong Kong-registered cargo ship it had chartered and said all 25 crew members were safe and sound, the state IRNA news agency reported.

"Around Thursday noon the first contact was made with the 'Delight' after its hijacking and fortunately all its crew are safe and sound," the urgent reaction committee of the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines said.

"The urgent reaction committee along with concerned officials will make efforts to release the ship and its 25 crew members," a statement added, without providing further details.The 'Delight' was carrying 36,000 tonnes of wheat when it was attacked on Tuesday in the Gulf of Aden as it headed for the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, maritime officials said.

In October, Iran paid ransom to gain release of a merchant vessel hijacked off the Somali coast two months earlier.This year, Somali pirates have attacked 90 ships, more than double the number in 2007,according to the International Maritime Bureau.

Pirates are still holding 16 ships and more than 250 sailors.

Source : AFP