Sounds like the pirates need to create a hostage and vessel clearinghouse of some kind. Arrrrg!
“We have lowered the ransom only for the ships we have used to hijack other ships. We sometimes release these ships free of charge for they generate more (money). But we shall not lower the ransom for the bulk ships we are sure can bring bulk money.”You keep the ships that are generating turnover. The bulk ships that you think you "might" sell in the future are inventory which are NOT generating income.