Pirates released a Japanese tanker loaded with benzene and its 22 crew members apparently unharmed off the Somali coast Wednesday, a U.S. Navy spokesman said.

The chemical tanker Golden Nori, seized off Somalia's east coast six weeks ago, has been released, said Lt. John Gay, a U.S. Navy spokesman.

The release came days after reports that the pirates had demanded $1 million in ransom and threatened to kill the crew.

"All the pirates are off the ship, and the first indication is that all crew members are unharmed," Gay said, adding that the pirates headed toward the Somali coast. A U.S. Navy vessel was monitoring them from "a visible distance."

The 6,253-ton tanker, with a crew from Myanmar, the Philippines and South Korea, was seized in late October. One of the two South Korean crewmen escaped and was rescued by a passing ship in early November.

Gay said a U.S. Navy vessel was still monitoring the ship, while standing by for a possible request for assistance.

The Golden Nori is expected to "go to a safe port," Gay said. "If necessary, we will provide an escort."

On Tuesday, the ship's Japanese owner, Dorval Kaiun K.K., said negotiations were under way to free the remaining crew, but refused to disclose any details.

Japanese government and shipping company officials said the release could not be immediately confirmed.

The U.S. Navy in late October came to the aid of the vessel, with the guided missile destroyer USS Porter at one point opening fire to sink the pirate skiffs tied to it.