MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A shipping expert says that a ship hijacked off the coast of war-torn Somalia has been freed.

Mohamed Abdirahman, the former director of Puntland's marine forces, told The Associated Press that pirates abandoned the ship before naval forces rescued the ship.

He said the pirates were unable to take the crew hostage because they locked themselves in a safe room. Abdirahman said no pirates were arrested and foreign naval forces are now escorting the ship.