The Iranian and Sri Lankan seafarers were set free over the weekend.

It is understood a $2m ransom was paid to end their ordeal, which started when the 1,066-teu Albedo (built 1993) was hijacked in November 2010.

Of the initial crew of 23, seven Pakistani nationals were freed last August after a $2.9m ransom was handed over.

Five crew members died along with seven pirates when the Albedo sank in 2013, but the remaining 11 survived having been shifted to a fishing vessel.

Peter Swift, chairman of the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian ResponseProgramme, said in a statement:"After 1288 days incaptivity we are delighted for them and their families after the terribleordeal and hardship that they have suffered.