Investigative sources say Japanese police are probing a company on suspicion of exporting a used container ship to Iran after falsely declaring to customs officials that it would sell the vessel to the United Arab Emirates.

The sources say police suspect the Osaka-based company of filing the false declaration in 2021 in violation of the customs law. The firm acts as an intermediary in the sale and purchase of vessels.

The sources add that the ship's location data and other information suggest the company exported the vessel to Iran.

The ship was completed in 1997 and was owned by entities, including an incorporated administrative body called the Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency. The company later bought the ship through competitive bidding.