Zeaborn Ship Management said it is offering psychological help to a boxship crew traumatised by the killing of their captain in Colombia.
The company confirmed Myanmar national Myo Tun Zaw, 50, was killed on the 3,752-teu Spirit of Hamburg (built 2007) in the port of Cartagena on Saturday.
Colombian media said his body was found on deck, but authorities are trying to ascertain exactly what happened.
Zeaborn said an "intruder" was responsible for the killing in a "violent incident".
"We will never be able to really understand the pain and sense of loss that his loved ones must be feeling after they had sadly been informed by us that he was killed on board his ship," the shipmanager added.
"His officers and crew on board and all of us ashore share...in their grief."
Crew members are from Myanmar, Ethiopia and Russia.
Seafarers offered help
"They are all professional seafarers whom we are supporting to the best of our ability and who have been offered psychological help," Zeaborn said.
Colombian police have told the company they will put all their resources into the probe.
"Due to coronavirus travel restrictions it is impossible for us to have anyone from Hamburg attend the ship in Cartagena now, but we are in regular contact with our crew on board and our representatives in Colombia," the German company said.
The company added it had no further information on the culprit or culprits.
"In the meantime we have noticed a lot of speculation on social media and in some of the traditional press on what might have happened," Zeaborn said.
"As long as the authorities have not finished their investigation and announced official results we believe it is inappropriate to draw any conclusions which are not only premature but also are extremely upsetting for our crew and their families at home."
The Isle of Man Register, which flags the ship, has confirmed on its website that Colombia has jurisdiction in the case.
"Through local representatives in Myanmar we are doing our utmost to support the family of Captain Myo Tun Zaw as well as the direct family of the other seafarers at this extremely difficult time," Zeaborn said.
Travel restrictions have again prevented anyone from the company travelling to Myanmar.
"The events on board the Spirit of Hamburg represent a great tragedy," Zeaborn added.
The ship is classed by DNV GL and insured by the Standard Club.
