Greek operator Lydia Mar has played down reports of warning shots being fired during the seizure of one of its cargoships off Libya.

The 24,200-dwt Santorini (built 1998) was intercepted 14 nautical miles off Sousse for allegedly entering Libyan waters without permission on 11 March, the Libya Akhbar website reported, citing the country's armed forces.

Lydia Mar told TradeWinds the vessel had been told to drop anchor by the Libyan Coast Guard.