The Maersk Alabama prepare to dock at the Mombassa port in Kenya, Saturday, April 11, 2009. [Xinhua/AFP]

The American ship attacked by Somali pirates has arrived in Kenya's port city of Mombasa, CNN reported on Saturday.

The pirates hijacked the Maersk Alabama, but the crew of 20 Americans managed to retake the control of the Danish-operated vessel on Friday, with its captain Richard Phillips snatched by the hijackers in the struggle. Phillips is still being held on a lifeboat the attackers took from the ship.

The crew of the Maersk Alabama wave hands after the ship docked in Kenya's port city, Mombasa. [Xinhua]

The freighter began to sail south to Kenya with armed guard after the crew tried but failed to negotiate the release of the captain. Andrew Mwangura of East Africa's Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program in Kenya said after the attack that the cargo ship "is expected to dock at the port of Mombasa either on Saturday evening or early Sunday."

Maritime officials have said negotiations could be lengthy, as the pirates want a hefty ransom for the captain and compensation for a boat that was wrecked in the attack.

The cargo ship, carrying food aid destined for Somalia and Uganda, was taken about 500 km off Somalia's coast in the early hours on Wednesday.

Reports say the ship's lifeboat has run out of fuel and that other pirates are too nervous to help due to the presence of foreign naval ships, including the USS Bainbridge destroyer.

Captain Richard Phillips is still held by the pirates as hostage.

Somali pirates have stepped up their attacks in recent weeks after a brief lull. The Maersk Alabama was the sixth ship attacked by pirates in the past week.

Mombasa is a vital hub for receiving food assistance for Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Somalia and Kenya.

Pirates typically hold the ships and crews until large ransoms are paid by the shipping companies. The attacks are threatening to destabilize one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2009)