A Russian oil tanker seized by Libyan authorities on suspicion of oil contraband has been transferred from the Tripoli naval base to the port of Misrata, the Sputnik cited a Libyan navy official as saying on Thursday.

"The port of Tripoli is overcrowded, there too many vessels there, that's why the Russian tanker has been transferred to the port of Misrata," navy spokesman Col. Ayub Qassem said, adding that the crew accompanied the ship.

Media reports on Wednesday said that forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Libyan government, which is not recognized internationally, had seized the Russian oil tanker Mekhanik Chebotarev and detained 11 Russian crew members when it was allegedly en route to the northwestern Libyan port of Zuwarah.

According to Qassem, the detained Russian sailors have not been questioned yet.