Captain Murdered Onboard Cargo Ship In Cartagena

Conflicting reports are emerging of a ship’s master, or captain being murdered onboard the Spirit of Hamburg container ship in the Port of Cartagena.

A statement put out by Zeaborn Ship Management stating that a seafarer suffered fatal injuries after an incident with an intruder, though news reports state that the ship captain was slaughtered in a mutiny by his own crew.

Zeaborg statements that the crime was committed by an intruder conflict with other press & social media reports that consistently claim the crime was committed by the ship’s own crew.

According to Colombian daily El Tiempo, Mynanmar national Myo Tun Zaw, the ship’s master was killed by his crew onboard the Spirit of Hamburg. Though social media reports initially claimed the crew was Philippine, though other reports, such as the Maritime Bulletin indicate that the crew was also from Myanmar, save for 2 Ethiopians.

“Managers Zeaborn Ship Management regret to advise that in the afternoon of 16 April 2020 one of its valued seafarers of its managed container vessel Spirit of Hamburg has suffered fatal injuries following what is believed to be a violent incident with an intruder onboard the ship in the port of Cartagena, Colombia,” said Zeaborn in a statement.

According to UN convention, the laws of Colombia might not apply to the crime since it occurred onboard a foreign vessel. The Spirit of Hamburg is British flagged but German owned and managed.

“Immediately after the incident all relevant authorities and parties have been notified. Representatives of the company have arrived in Cartagena for further support to the crew. The exact circumstances of the violent incident are yet unknown, and police have started an official investigation into the events and conducted interviews with the crew of Spirit of Hamburg. In order to not interfere with the investigation of the local police Zeaborn Shipmanagement will refrain from making any further statements at this stage,” added Zeaborn.

“Authorities in Columbia have meanwhile granted permission for the vessel to move from berth to inner anchorage.”

Photo Credit Ed Dunens