Image from: The Maritime Executive
Five Crew Arrested Aboard MT Scot Bremen After Cocaine Discovery in Zeebrugge
Belgian authorities have arrested five crew members aboard the Maltese‑flagged product tanker Scot Bremen after hundreds of kilograms of cocaine were discovered aboard in Zeebrugge. The seizure followed swift action by the vessel’s master, who detected suspicious activity while the ship was anchored off Ostend.
The tanker, operated by Istanbul‑based Scot Tankers, departed Pecem in Brazil and arrived off Ostend on June 20. While awaiting pilot boarding on June 22, the master discovered five ratings concealing suspected narcotics in storage areas. He immediately cancelled the pilot boarding, isolated the crew members, confiscated their cell phones, and alerted Belgian maritime police and customs.
Poor weather initially prevented boarding at the anchorage. Once conditions improved, the Scot Bremen sailed to the port of Zeebrugge on the evening of June 23, where customs officials discovered “significant quantities” of cocaine, reported by local sources as totaling hundreds of kilograms.
Meanwhile, Belgian authorities arrested eight additional suspects at a marina in Blankenberge on June 22. These individuals were allegedly preparing to launch a small boat to rendezvous offshore and collect the narcotics. They remain held on suspicion of gang involvement.
Both the master and the vessel were released after being interviewed as witnesses. Belgian police and the public prosecutor commended the master’s prompt actions, noting that he preserved evidence and cooperated fully with the investigation.
Scot Tankers affirmed its strict zero‑tolerance policy on drug trafficking. The replacement crew has boarded the vessel, which is expected to resume its voyage, with Zelzate being the next scheduled port call.
This incident underscores the increasing use of smaller Brazilian ports like Pecem for drug trafficking, as traffickers seek to exploit less scrutinised routes. With coordinated efforts by shipping companies, vessel masters, and maritime authorities, significant drug seizures can be achieved, highlighting gaps in maritime security that warrant enhanced vigilance.
Authorities from Belgium are continuing their investigation, reviewing phone records, surveillance footage, and vessel logs. It remains unclear whether the arrested crew acted alone or as part of a broader trafficking network. Further developments may emerge as Belgian prosecutors build their case.
