Finnish officials discovered about 160 tons of explosives and 69 surface-to-air missiles found on a cargo ship bearing a British flag and on its way to China. Massive amounts of picric acid and the missiles were found as the dock workers were loading the chains.
The M/S Thor Liberty left the north German port of Emden on December 13 and two days later docked in Kotka, southern Finland, to pick up a cargo of anchor chains. It is not clear whether the arms shipment was going to Shanghai since it was the last destination.
Customs spokesman Petri Lounatmaa stated that some of the explosives were not stored properly and that an investigation has been initiated into a possible breach of Finnish export and weapons trading laws. He added that the cargo would be impounded if determined to be illegal.
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World Maritime News Staff, December 22, 2011;