Angela Yu /06 March 2015. COSCO's heavy-lift ship Da Dan Xia was detained in Cartagena by Colombian authorities on 4 March for carrying illegal weapons.

About 100 tonnes of gunpowder, 2.6 million detonators, 99 projectiles, and about 3,000 cannon shells were found on the Hong Kong-flagged ship, which was bound for Cuba, reported local media.

Containers labelled China North Industries Group Corporation (Norinco) - China's biggest arms maker - was also found aboard the vessel, according to the Colombian Attorney-General's office.

However, according to the ship's records, it was carrying chemicals and spare parts. The captain, Wu Hong, would be charged with illegal transport of military materials, reported local media.

China Foreign Ministry official Hua Chunying told the press that the shipment was part of a "normal military trade agreement" and that there were no "sensitive substances" on board. Hua stressed that there was no violation of Chinese laws and regulations or the international obligations that China undertakes.

China is in communication with Colombia and shipowner COSCO, and will provide assistance to Chinese citizens involved, she added.

COSCO released a statement about the detention, but did not clarify the reason for it.

A Norinco official said the shipment was part of a military trade contract to supply raw materials used in bullet manufacturing and the company is investigating the reasons for the detention.

China is the fourth largest arms exporter in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, with Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar as its major clients.

At present, China is Cuba's largest creditor and second-biggest trade partner after Venezuela at USD1.4 billion in 2013.

Source: www.ihsmaritime360.com