Mr Dolan, a 27-year industry veteran with Singapore`s APL, the container shipping arm of state controlled Neptune Orient Lines (NOL), had been detained in Dubai since February over a shipment from Turkey bound for Djibouti and transhipped through Dubai.
Mr Dolan and three associates, two from Sri Lanka and one from India, were implicated in the case. Mr Dolan told the newspaper that his passport had been confiscated, and he was coerced into signing a confession on a document written in Arabic.
APL told American Shipper: "We can confirm that our employees charged with weapons transportation in Dubai have been found innocent. We are pleased with the closure of the case, and extend our appreciation to those who have expressed concern and support throughout the judicial process."
On Monday, Mr Dolan emailed the St Louis paper to say he had been acquitted, thanks in part to media coverage of the case. "The media attention, especially after it got to the Dubai media, forced this decision rather quickly," Mr Dolan said.