Crew of ship seized by Iran are safe though still captives, says operator MSC
Swiss-headquartered company reports it is working with Iranian authorities to secure release of 25 people on board MSC Aries, seized by Revolutionary Guards last week
LONDON — The 25 crew members of the MSC Aries, which was seized by Iran on April 13, are safe, shipping firm MSC said on Wednesday, adding that discussions with Iranian authorities are in progress to secure their earliest release.
“We are also working with the Iranian authorities to have the cargo discharged,” the Swiss headquartered company said in a statement.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards seized the container vessel in the Strait of Hormuz days after Tehran vowed to retaliate for a suspected Israeli strike on what it says was a consulate building in Damascus on April 1 which killed two IRGC generals as well as several other officers. The escalating violence came against the background of the war in the Gaza Strip, started by the Palestinian terror group Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on Israel, and that has become a catalyst for regional tensions.
Iran had said it could close the crucial shipping route.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the leading seafarers’ union, said on Wednesday that its priority was the welfare and safety of the seafarers onboard.
“I can confirm the ITF has been in touch with family of the crew on board MSC Aries – who have reported today they’re safe and being treated reasonably,” ITF inspectorate coordinator Steve Trowsdale told Reuters. “We continue to call on the Iranian authorities to urgently release the crew and the vessel.”
Al Arabiya reports that container ship MSC ARIES was taken over by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz.
The ship, flying the flag of Portugal, is apparently managed by Zodiac Maritime, a company owned by Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. pic.twitter.com/azD0AYZrZm
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) April 13, 2024
Iran retaliated for the Damascus strike by firing a barrage of hundreds of missiles and attack drones at Israel overnight Saturday-Sunday. Israel’s air defense and air force, with key assistance from the US and other allies, thwarted the attack by shooting down almost all of the incoming threats. A handful of missiles that made it through the shield caused minor damage at an air base, and seriously wounded a 7-year-old Muslim girl in a Bedouin town near Arad in the south.
Portugal’s foreign ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador on Tuesday to condemn Tehran’s attack on Israel by Tehran and to demand the immediate release of the Portuguese-flagged ship.
Iran has also seized other vessels in international waters in recent years, heightening risks for merchant shipping in the area.
The Advantage Sweet, Niovi and St Nikolas tankers, which were taken last year, were anchored in Iranian waters as of April 12, said Claire Jungman, chief of staff at US advocacy group United Against Nuclear Iran, which tracks Iran-related tanker traffic via satellite data.
Iran’s foreign ministry said on Monday that the MSC Aries was seized for “violating maritime laws,” adding that there was no doubt the vessel was linked to Israel. MSC leases the Aries from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime. Zodiac is partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer.
Recent attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have also affected the global maritime transport chain.
The Houthis are still holding the Galaxy Leader commercial ship and its 25 crew after the militia’s commandos boarded the vessel at sea on Nov. 19.
