The 12,800-dwt Fair Artemis (built 2008) was 60 miles off the coast with a 24-strong crew and a cargo of gasoil at the time when it last made contact on Wednesday.

Greece's Fairdeal Group told TradeWinds it has been trying to re-establish contact.

The company criticised alarmist reports from the IMB and said no one yet knew what had befallen the vessel.

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