Asked if it was true that the ship was offering “maritime security solutions” as claimed by it, the official said, “Apparently so...but not yet established.”
The ship was also sighted off Kochi on August 28, he said.
The vessel was detained by the Coast Guard off Tuticorin coast on Friday.
It was intercepted about 15 nautical miles east of Tuticorin by a Coast Guard ship after ICG received information that the vesssel carrying arms and guards was off Tuticorin coast. It was later escorted to Tuticorin harbour.
The ship has 10 crew members, comprising two Ukranians and eight Indians. The vessel also has 25 security guards (6 British, 14 Estonian, 1 Ukranian and 4 Indians).