A Bulgarian outfit that arrested a Libyan-owned tanker as part of what it describes as a 28-year legal row has broken its silence over the case, saying it is now the legitimate owner of the vessel.

Bulgargeomin said the litigation centring on the General National Maritime Transport Co (GNMTC) 116,000-dwt ship Badr (built 2008) is now "legally resolved", ending what it said was a saga dating back to 1989 to recover debt from Libya.