Turkish Tanker Seized in Libya

Turkey-flagged chemical tanker Haci Telli was seized by Libyan militants after it enter the country’s port of Zuwarah on February 24, according to local media.

The 2,800 dwt Haci Telli, operated by Turkish shipowner Transpasifik, was allegedly arrested due to the operator’s outstanding debt of USD 433,000 for earlier purchased oil from Zuwarah.

Media reports indicate that the ship and its crew are being held some two nautical miles off the port.

The 2009-built ship, which was on its way from Tuzla, Turkey to the Maltese port of Valletta, was carrying a crew of 11 seafarers.

World Maritime News contacted the vessel’s operator for more details on the matter, however, the company is yet to reply.

Earlier in February the Libyan forces seized and escorted the 2013-built car carrier Morning Compass to the country’s Ras Al Hilal port.

The 6,500 CEU vessel, chartered to Korean shipping firm EUKOR Car Carriers, was intercepted because it was sailing in a no-entry military zone, the Libyan News Agency (LANA) informed.

Crewed by twelve Filipino seafarers at the time, Morning Compass was released from captivity on February 21.

World Maritime News Staff