The 69,300-dwt Panamax Trader (built 1990) was abandoned by its crew in the early hours of 8 March after reportedly “seriously heading by bow”, Piraeus-based managing company Chian Spirit Maritime Enterprises said in an e-mail.

“A short while after the vessel was abandoned she disappeared from the sea surface. Relevant authorities and MRCC were promptly notified,” the company added.

The Imabari-built ship was heading to Djibouti for temporary repairs after a grounding incident in the Tiran Strait.