A Maersk Tankers ship has diverted into a Spanish port after three violent stowaways were found on board.

The 38,000-dwt Harald Maersk (built 2009) was heading from Gibraltar across the Atlantic when the discovery was made on Saturday.

Spanish media reported that the men maintained an aggressive attitude and did not enter into dialogue with the crew, so the decision was made to head into Vigo and alert authorities there.