Malta Maritime Authority News

The Malta Maritime Authority issued a press release stating that the MV Arctic Sea is under the control of Russian Authorities and is located 16 nautical miles off Las Palmas. A team comprised of officials from the Malta Police Force and the Malta Maritime Authority boarded the ship on 10 September and are currently carrying out a maritime safety investigation in parallel with a law enforcement investigation. (9/11/09). (Source: Bryant’s Maritime News)

Following communications between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian authorities, the Maritime Security Committee confirms that the MV Arctic Sea is under the control of the Russian military forces. Further clarifications into the case are being sought. The Committee continues to monitor the unfolding of events through diplomatic, security service, flag administration, military and police channels as it has been doing on a daily basis in collaboration with other jurisdictions having an interest in the case. A co-ordination team based in Finland included Maltese representatives of the Malta Maritime Authority, the Police and the Security Service. Any additional information will be released once it has been confirmed.