The crew initially reported the incident involving GMZ Ship Management’s 480 lane-metre Marzooqah (built 1976) as an attack by gunmen, maritime officials said.

The reason for the arrest was not clear.

The ship had issued a distress signal indicating it was coming under attack by pirates.

"We assess this is an operation by the Eritrean forces, who went on board the vessel," EU Navfor spokeswoman Jacqueline Sherriff told Reuters.

"We