One of three African stowaways briefly escaped from a Maersk Tankers ship in Spain as the Danish company continues to try to resolve their presence on board.
The man is believed to have broken out of his cabin on the 38,000-dwt Harald Maersk (built 2009) at the port of Vigo.
Maersk Tankers confirmed to TradeWinds that the stowaway escaped on 12 February.
"The vessel’s gangway watch promptly raised the alarm and the individual was quickly detained by police on the dock," it added.
"Maersk Tankers continues to work with all relevant authorities, including Spanish officials in the port of Vigo, and follow their guidance to quickly and safely disembark the three stowaways from the vessel Harald Maersk."
Swift resolution needed
Maersk Tankers stressed it needs an "urgent and safe resolution to this matter for the safety and security of all involved."
The crew discovered the three men on 28 January while the vessel was near Gibraltar. The tanker had been due to head across the Atlantic.
Harald Maersk has been docked in Vigo since 8 February.
It is thought the men boarded in Conakry, Guinea. Spanish media reported them as having been aggressive, refusing to enter into dialogue with crew.
The vessel left Las Palmas on 22 January, but had stopped in Conakry and Lagos in Nigeria before that.
Meanwhile, Spanish daily LNE reported that three more stowaways were discovered on the 8,600-dwt cargoship Tango Rey (built 2001) at Aviles last week.
Two managed to escape but the third has been arrested.
The men had boarded in Casablanca, Morocco.
