An impounded tanker at Lowestoft's port has been put up for sale after no one came forward to claim the abandoned vessel.

The 106 tonne Cien Porciento was detained in Lowestoft in March 2010 after she failed a safety inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

The bunker tanker had docked in Lowestoft in July 2009 and her crew of four or five were said by port authorities to have disappeared on the day of the inspection.

In February, port owner Associated British Ports (ABP) launched an appeal to find the owner of the Cien Porciento, which was previously known at the Moa Af Harg and was built in Gothenburg.

However, as no one has come forward to claim the 101-year-old abandoned tanker she has now been put up for sale to the highest bidder in a sealed bid process due to be completed by May 31.

The Cien Porciento and her fixtures and fittings are being advertised for sale as 'as is – as lies without any warranty, express or implied as to her condition, seaworthiness and operability'.

The successful bidder will be required to assume responsibilty to insure the vessel and for her harbour dues. The Cien Porciento was impounded after an inspection found 30 deficiencies, including that her main fire pump did not work, she had too few lifeboats, no fresh running water and life jacket and distress flares were missing.

She is not registered to any country or home port, but was believed to have been sold on to work on the Panama Canal as a water tanker.

Sealed bids can be made by writing to Associated British Ports, Port Office, NQCT, Commercial Road, Lowestoft NR32 4TE.

Have you got a Lowestoft story? Email anthony.carroll@archant.co.uk