MSC Containership’s Arrival at Antwerp Delayed Due to Bomb Threat

An MSC containership bound for the Port of Antwerp was delayed offshore while Belgian police investigated a bomb threat associated with the ship. The threat, received on December 25, indicated that there was a bomb placed in a car in one of the containers timed to explode when the ship docked in Antwerp. The ship, MSC Bhavya V, was ordered to remain offshore while the threat was investigated. The threat was ultimately deemed not credible, and the ship is now en route to Antwerp, a few hours behind schedule.

In a possibly unrelated development, six men were found hiding in a container in the Waaslandhaven area of the port. Police believe they were waiting to extract drugs from incoming containers. This incident is reminiscent of a similar bomb threat received just over a year ago for another MSC containership, which was also held offshore before the threat was deemed not credible. Subsequent investigation found 2,400 kilos of cocaine on the vessel, leading to the arrest of two individuals.

The Belgium National Maritime Security Authority has reported that the recent bomb threat was not credible, and the ship is now en route to Antwerp. The police are also investigating the discovery of six men hiding in a container in the port, suspected of being involved in drug smuggling. This incident is reminiscent of a similar bomb threat received just over a year ago for another MSC containership, which was also held offshore before a large quantity of cocaine was found on board.

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