Tanker Captain Uncovers Crew's Drug Smuggling Operation in Belgium

According too a recent report from maritime news sources, the MT Scot Bremen, a product tanker flying the Maltese flag and operated by the Turkish firm scot Tankers, has found itself at the heart of a drug examination. This situation unfolded on June 20 when the vessel docked near Ostend, Belgium, after traveling from Brazil’s Port of Pecem. While anchored and waiting for pilot boarding on June 22, the ship’s master noticed that five crew members were hiding suspicious packages.

Acting swiftly, the Master decided to cancel pilot services and alerted Belgian authorities about his findings. He also took steps to isolate those crew members involved and confiscated their mobile devices. Unfortunately, due to poor weather conditions at that time, officials couldn’t board the vessel immediately.The MT scot Bremen then made its way to Zeebrugge on June 23 for customs officials and police inspection.Upon examination by belgian customs agents,they uncovered “considerable amounts of narcotics” hidden aboard. The five crew members implicated in this incident have since been taken into custody by local law enforcement. Fortunately for both the ship’s Master and its owner, investigations cleared them of any wrongdoing in this matter. Authorities have praised the Master’s actions in reporting what he found while preserving crucial evidence during their inquiry.

In light of these events, scot Tankers has arranged for replacement personnel for those detained and expects that operations will return to normal soon with plans for onward travel to Zelzate. Operating under Scot Gemi Isletmeciligi AS since 2015, Scot Tankers manages a fleet comprising twelve chemical tankers dedicated to transporting various cargoes including chemicals and petroleum products.the company reiterated its commitment to maintaining a strict zero-tolerance stance against drug-related activities within its operations while expressing pride in how their Master handled an intense situation with professionalism.