An MSC boxship master has been arrested in Italy on suspicion of drugs smuggling.
MSC told TradeWinds it had been made aware that the captain of the 4,900-teu MSC Poh Lin (built 2004) had been arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.
The vessel arrived in Gioia Tauro on 8 July, when police found 83kg of the drug in 73 parcels in an unsealed box as part of Operation Volcano, targeting mafia drugs smuggling.
Local media cited authorities as saying there was evidence of collusion with the mafia by someone on board.
MSC said it was "fully assisting authorities with the appropriate enquiries, in line with its strict code of conduct, and stresses that the company is strongly opposed to any illegal transportation activity."
An Italian court has now released the ship, following confirmation of no wrongdoing by MSC, it added.
"Once all containers have been fully inspected, cargo will be freed for onward transit from Gioia Tauro," it said.
The container in question had come from Coronel in Chile and had been transhipped in Panama.
It was destined for Valencia in Spain with a cargo of timber.
A total of 12 people were arrested in the raid.
