GUJARAT: A Chinese ship, which was detained in Gujarat’s Kandla port for wrongly declaring an autoclave, had nearly slipped away to Karachi’s Port Qasim in Pakistan.

The ship almost left the Indian shores on February 4 and 5 for its final destination to Pakistan, a Hindustan Times report has said.

The vessel (MV) Da Cui Yun was detained by Indian customs officials at Deendayal Port for allegedly carrying an autoclave, and mis-declaring it, the report has said.

Indian customs officials had seized the cargo from the vessel on Monday even though the crew was still on board.

An official said there was a chance of the ship’s documents also being seized.

A team from the Defense Research and Development Organization is currently examining the cargo on the ship.

The authorities, who were set to issue final clearance for the shipto set sail, backed off.

Prior to sailing from China’s Jiangyin port, the vessel was harbored in Shanghai for some five days. It had also passed through Nantong Port in Jiangsu province, the report added.

The tip-off about the vessel, according to the report, came from Hong Kong to Indian intelligence officials.

Indian officials could have sent a message that the vessel could be carrying dual-use technology products used for both civilian and military purposes.

It should be noted that the US has been maintaining a close watch on the Chinese shipping companies following its sanctions on Iran.

Meanwhile, the US had also imposed sanctions on some Chinese shipping companies. (With inputs from Agencies)