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" Serving the world...

...from Malta "

Weather in Malta

15.3°C scattered clouds

scattered clouds

Time Zones:

New York

Malta

Shanghai

" Serving the world...

...from Malta "

MV Arctic Sea Reaches her Home Port - Valletta

30 / 10 / 09

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The summer long saga of the Maltese registered vessel Arctic Sea seems to have come to an end after the vessel entered her home port of Valletta. The Arctic Sea was handed over to her owners outside territorial waters after it was declared by Maltese authorities that no hazardous material was onboard and certified to be sea worthy. Police authorities conducted their investigations to verify whether there was any criminal evidence on the vessel. It was reported that the vessel would reach port on the 28th October however, it was delayed as negotiations were underway between the authorities concerned and the owners.

The ship and her crew were hijacked off the Swedish coast last July while transporting timber from Finland to Algeria. The hijacking drew worldwide media attention as this area is considered as one of the safest areas and piracy is unheard of. The vessel disappeared off the radar after making contact with British Authorities while crossing the English Channel.  The vessel failed to reach the Algerian port of Bejaia on August 4th and a ransom of $1.5 million was asked by the hijackers.

The vessel was located off the Cape Verde Islands’ coast in the Atlantic Ocean by the Russian Navy which consequently arrested the hijackers while effectively taking control of the vessel. The eight hijackers were flown to Russia and charged with kidnapping and piracy.

A controversy then followed after allegations were made that the ship was carrying illegal arms to Iran and that the whole hijacking operation was the work of Mossad, the Israeli secret service, to thwart any arms delivery to Iran. However, the allegations were strongly denied by the owners and Russian Authorities.

During a press conference the Malta Maritime Authority confirmed that it had the full cooperation of the Russian authorities. The vessel will be undergoing repairs in Malta and a relief crew will take over the vessel to replace the original crew who had been onboard since it all began.

MV Arctic Sea Reaches her Home Port - Valletta

30 / 10 / 09

Share Article on 

The summer long saga of the Maltese registered vessel Arctic Sea seems to have come to an end after the vessel entered her home port of Valletta. The Arctic Sea was handed over to her owners outside territorial waters after it was declared by Maltese authorities that no hazardous material was onboard and certified to be sea worthy. Police authorities conducted their investigations to verify whether there was any criminal evidence on the vessel. It was reported that the vessel would reach port on the 28th October however, it was delayed as negotiations were underway between the authorities concerned and the owners.

The ship and her crew were hijacked off the Swedish coast last July while transporting timber from Finland to Algeria. The hijacking drew worldwide media attention as this area is considered as one of the safest areas and piracy is unheard of. The vessel disappeared off the radar after making contact with British Authorities while crossing the English Channel.  The vessel failed to reach the Algerian port of Bejaia on August 4th and a ransom of $1.5 million was asked by the hijackers.

The vessel was located off the Cape Verde Islands’ coast in the Atlantic Ocean by the Russian Navy which consequently arrested the hijackers while effectively taking control of the vessel. The eight hijackers were flown to Russia and charged with kidnapping and piracy.

A controversy then followed after allegations were made that the ship was carrying illegal arms to Iran and that the whole hijacking operation was the work of Mossad, the Israeli secret service, to thwart any arms delivery to Iran. However, the allegations were strongly denied by the owners and Russian Authorities.

During a press conference the Malta Maritime Authority confirmed that it had the full cooperation of the Russian authorities. The vessel will be undergoing repairs in Malta and a relief crew will take over the vessel to replace the original crew who had been onboard since it all began.