Seized Mystery Arms Ship Still Unclaimed

The ship has been held at Rhodes harbor since last Friday, and it will be days before the full load is inspected.

Several issues remain open, such as to whom the ship belongs, as well as the final destination of the cargo. Although, as Greek authorities report, the ship seems to be Turkish-owned but neither the owners of the consignment, nor the shipowners have made any efforts at contact.

According to some information the sender, as borne out of shipping documents, is a Kiev based company named "UKRINMASH Cο." Press reports note some discomfort on the part of Ukrainian officials who point to the "legality" of arms shipments between the Ukraine and Libya.

In any event the merchant marine ministry calls the incident serious, as in any event it constitutes "a breach of embargo as the weapons and ammunition are destined for warzones, whether Libya, or Syria.".

Merchant marine minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, who went to Rhodes because of the seriousness of the situation noted the discrepancies of testimony of the captain and the other three Turkish crew members, and added that the ship also failed to meet safety requirements, and would be held, in any event.

Hellenic Coast Guard Chief Dimitrios Bantias said that it was on the most serious incident the corps had encountered in recent years. The Chief also personally inspected the cargo and the hold.