Greek-owned small clean tanker Levante has been seized by Libyan authorities on the grounds of suspected oil smuggling off the Abu Kammash area west of Tripoli, Reuters reports citing a naval official.
According to navy spokesman Ayoub Qassem, the Liberian-flagged ship and its 20 crew members, predominantly of Philippine nationality, were detained on Monday as they are believed to have attempted to smuggle 6,000 tons of oil.
An investigation is said to be underway and the crew is being questioned over their involvement in the suspected oil smuggling.
The ship, built in 2008, is operated by Evalend Shipping Tankers based in Greece and has a value of USD 10.7 million, based on the data from VesselsValue.
World Maritime News is yet to receive a reply from the company on the arrest.
World Maritime News Staff