The Maltese registered MV Arctic Sea arrived in Grand Harbour this evening at the end of a saga which began when it was reportedly hijacked in the Baltic Sea in July.

The freighter was recovered by Russian forces off the Cape Verde Islands in August and had been under Russian Navy control until it was handed over to its Finnish owners off Malta this afternoon.

Mystery has surrounded the Russian-crewed ship, with international media saying it might have been carrying radioactive material or weapons. Both Russia and the Finnish owners denied the reports, insisting it is only carrying timber.

The ship was towed into Grand Harbour by a Maltese tug because it has steering problems. It also requires repairs to its communications equipment.

The Malta Maritime Authority this afternoon said its inspectors had confirmed the ship is not carrying any dangerous cargo.

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