Vessels berthed in or heading to Freetown in Sierra Leone are facing uncertainty following armed clashes on Sunday.
Maritime security companies ARC and Diaplous Group said the port and all international borders have been closed by the government.
Gunmen attacked a military barracks and armoury, as well as a prison.
The incident was reported as an attempted coup, prompting the government to declare a nationwide curfew.
The gunmen have been described as “renegade soldiers”.
Witnesses said they heard gunshots and explosions in the Wilberforce district of Freetown where the armoury and a number of embassies are located, The Guardian reported.
Others said there were exchanges of fire near a barracks in the Murray Town district, which is home to the navy, as well as outside another military site in the capital.
Footage posted on social media networks showed a number of prisoners had escaped from the country's central jail, AFP reported.
Ambrey Analytics later said that analysis of vessel traffic and contact with local agents confirmed that ports remained operational.
The company observed a Bahamas-flagged general cargo ship call at and depart from Pepel port.
Agents also said there was a curfew between 21:00 and 0600 local time, but outside of these hours, the ports remained operational.
AIS data showed three bulkers at the port of Freetown on Monday.
BW Dry Cargo’s 62,500-dwt World Prize (built 2021) arrived from Egypt earlier this month.
BW has been contacted for information.
More ships due
The 55,600-dwt supramax Amira Miro (built 2012), controlled by El Amira of Egypt, was also in the port, along with the 27,900-dwt handysize Oriental Grace (built 1996), operated by Shanghai Yuhai Shipping of China.
The 2,700-dwt cargo ship Lucky Gala (built 1993), controlled by Trio Denizcilik of Turkey, was scheduled to arrive on Monday morning.
Another Trio vessel was due in Freetown on Tuesday.
The 180,300-dwt Navios Maritime Partners capesize Navios Fantastiks (built 2005) was also recorded as heading to the port from China.
There has been no AIS update from the vessel since 22 November, but the estimated arrival was reported for Tuesday.
