The owner of a Japanese capesize has replaced senior officers due to ongoing questioning over a drugs seizure in Turkey.
Cocaine weighing 25 kg was found in a box attached to the hull of the 177,000-dwt Frontier Falcon (built 2011) in Canakkale on Saturday.
The ship's manager, Mizuho Sangyo, told TradeWinds earlier this week that the crew were unaware of the narcotics, but Turkish authorities detained seven seafarers to help with inquiries.
In a statement to TradeWinds, owner Uniglory Shipping and an unnamed charterer said the bulker completed cargo operations at the port on Tuesday morning.
However, the vessel remained at anchor as the master, chief officer and chief engineer were still ashore to continue assisting the authorities with their inquiries.
No involvement
"All state their innocence and that they have no involvement, whatsoever, in the incident," the companies said.
But inquiries are likely to take time, as the case involves drugs, they added.
The owner believes the trio are likely to spend more time in Turkey, before they are able to return on board.
"For this reason and to prevent any delay, owners are sending a new master and chief engineer ... with ETA to join the ship on 27 August," the statement said.
Crew members who are required to remain in Turkey will be repatriated after the inquiries are completed.
Trafficking 'deplored'
"At no time was the vessel detained by the authorities, as it was concluded that the vessel itself is not involved in any illegal trade," the companies said.
The bulker is authorised to depart upon arrival of the new officers.
"Owners and charterers deplore any involvement with the carriage of drugs and have strict policies in place to prevent such incidents," the companies said.
"They will cooperate fully with the local investigations to establish responsibility for this illegal shipment."
The ship had arrived from Colombia. Officials said the market price of the cocaine is about TRY 50m ($6.8m).
