“The fact of abduction of the ship by pirates has not been confirmed yet. However, we do not rule out any version,” Vladimer Konstantinidi, Deputy Director of Consulate Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in connection with disappearance of vessel Pantelena sailing under the flag of Panama.

Konstantinidi told First Channel that Foreign Ministry of Georgia is working with Marine Transport Agency and Shipping Company to verify the circumstances.

A ship sailing under the flag of Panama, with 17 Georgian sailors aboard, has gone missing. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the contact with the vessel Pantelena IMO 9321469, carrying oil, was cut off on August 14. Last contact was found in the Gulf of Guinea on the west coast of Africa.

“Greek company Lotus Shipping is carrying out the search. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Sea Transport Agency of the Ministry of Economics and Sustainable Development, is in coordination with the ship owner company to clarify the situation. We are actively working with Panama Flag Organization, too. The maritime forces of the region, as well as the United Kingdom Maritime Center – UKMTO are involved in the case,” Foreign Ministry said.