After receiving a $3 million ransom, Somali pirates released an oil-laden Saudi supertanker.

The ransom was dropped on the ship by a small aircraft.

The brand new tanker, MV Sirius Star, was seized in the Indian Ocean November 15 with 25 crew members on board.

In the past year there has been more than 100 piracy cases reported in the shipping lanes off Somalia.

According to reports, the ship is now on its way to safe waters.

Piracy is a thriving business in Somalia with most hijackings ending with million-dollar pay-outs.

According to reports, Somali pirates have earned a hefty $30 million in ransoms last year alone.

Somalia