A Hapag-Lloyd container vessel has reportedly been boarded by pirates in a rare attack off South America.

The 4,612-teu Dusseldorf Express (built 1998) was targeted on Friday morning 40 nautical miles (74 km) south-west of Cartagena.

Security consultancy Ambrey said the Bermuda-flagged panamax was boarded by five people as it approached the port, but the crew retreated to the citadel and was unharmed.