A Canadian warship will work with the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid to Somalia, Defence Minister Peter MacKay said Friday.

HMCS Winnipeg will escort a UN World Food Program ship through pirate-infested waters so it can deliver supplies, MacKay said.

HMCS Winnipeg is already in the region participating in a NATO-led counter-piracy mission known as Operation Allied Protector, part of an effort by the international community to restore safety to a major shipping lane that passes by the Horn of Africa.

Piracy is rampant around the coast of Somalia, which has not had a functioning government for 18 years. There were 115 reported pirate attacks last year, each demanding an average ransom of $1.5 million, according to the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute.

Last week, pirates seized the cargo ship Maersk Alabama. American Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered himself in exchange for the crew's safety and was held in a lifeboat for five days before being rescued by U.S. navy SEALS on Sunday.

Phillips arrived by private plane to his hometown in Underhill, Vt., on Friday.

Officials said there haven't been any attacks on UN food aid vessels that have been escorted by naval ships.

The UN requested the support for this shipment, officials said.

With a crew of approximately 240 officers and non-commissioned members, the 134-metre long patrol frigate has been at sea since Feb. 5 and won't return to Victoria until Aug. 21.

With files from The Canadian Press