Another ship suspected of ferrying contraband diesel to Malta from Libya has been impounded in Tripoli.

This was the second vessel stopped by Libyan authorities on suspicion of smuggling fuel to Malta in recent weeks.

The Libya Herald said that the Panamanian-registered Levante was stopped on April 2 by a Libyan patrol boat in Libyan waters and diverted to Tripoli harbour.

It was carrying 400 tonnes of contraband diesel fuel.

Seven Egyptians and a Maltese were arrested. It was not clear whether the Maltese was a passenger or whether he was involved in the alleged smuggling.

The newspaper reported that documents were found aboard indicating that the Levante was involved in four previous fuel-running trips.

On March 25 the Libyan authorities stopped another vessel, the Fahd Al-Islam, on suspicion of ferrying contraband fuel to Malta.

Its crew of several Egyptian men and one Maltese are still under arrest.

At Libyan petrol stations, the pump price for 400 tonnes of diesel would be around €36,000.

In Malta it could earn around €620,000, the Libyan newspaper said.