The problem between Bulgaria and Libya over the seized Libyan vessel Badr is merely a “private legal matter,” Bulgarian Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski told Bulgarian national television on Tuesday.
Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority threatened on Monday to seize all Bulgarian ships that enter its waters, according to Bulgarian newspaper 24 Hours’ report.
The report said Libya will refer the case to the United Nations General Assembly to end the” illegal seizure” of the vessel.
Bulgarian coastguard authorities forced the Libyan crew members onboard Badr tanker, owned by Libyan General National Maritime Transport Company (GNMTC), off it and replaced them with a Bulgarian crew, the Libyan National Sea Transport Company and Ports Authority said in a statement 22 December.
The tanker has been seized since November 2017 at Burgas port over a case of compensations against Libya filed by a Bulgarian company.
The Supreme Administrative Court of Bulgaria ruled on 2 January that the Libyan vessel Badr must be released.
However, the Bulgarain authorities has not complied with the ruling thus far, and Badr continues to be custody.
