A South African container ship, the MV Umfolozi, has been stolen from Walvis Bay, the Cape Times reported on Friday.
It said the ship had been docked in Walvis Bay since colliding with a South African-registered dredger, the MV Ingwenya, in September.
The Namibian Ports Authority confirmed the vessel disappeared on Wednesday, saying port captain Vladimir Gusev had been suspended.
The stolen vessel was believed to have sailed north into Angolan waters.
Namibian and Angolan defence forces are co-operating in the search for the Umfolozi.
It was detained last month after the South African Ports Authority won a high court order against Seagate Shipping for the damage to the dredger.
After it was repaired, the Umfolozi was renamed the Michael S and sold to a Greek ship owner, Alexander Saleh.
Namibian press reports said Saleh flew out of the country at the weekend.
Crew members allegedly boarded the ship under false pretences, held two security guards captive and later dumped them and their possessions overboard.
Walvis Bay acting deputy sheriff Andre Visser said the disappearance of the Umfolozi was being treated as a crime.
“The operation was clearly planned. We suspect that the vessel has entered Angolan waters,” Visser said.
“The Angolan army and navy are on full alert and, if they should spot the ship, they will make it turn back to Namibia.”
The Umfolozi, with about 335 tonnes of fuel oil on board, was on its way to Cape Town and the Ingwenya heading for Walvis Bay when they collided. – AFP