Fishing vessel FONGGANGTING15 was detained by Moroccan Navy on Mar 15 and taken to Dakhla port, Morocco, on the grounds of suspicious and dangerous behavior and maneuvering, according to FleetMon.

It stated: “Moroccan coastal fishing vessels complained that this ship was harassing them by maneuvering in a dangerous and reckless manner. The ship has no flag, and though carrying nets, having no other proofs of being engaged in fishing. The crew consists of only four people, all of reportedly, Turkish nationality. Understood some or all documents customary for fishing vessels, are missing.

“The vessel is equipped with two powerful engines and generators, more suitable for spy or research vessels, than for an ordinary fishing vessel. The investigation is underway, among versions under consideration, there’s a version of engagement in drug trafficking. There’s a problem with the vessel’s ID, also. Looks like it’s fishing vessel FONGGANGTING15, MMSI 412473255, length 51 meters, flag? (China according to AIS data, but no flag according to Chinese data), latest AIS dated Mar 6, Nouadhibou port, Morocco, but there’s no mentioning of this in Moroccan news sources.”