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Ship back in Europe after lengthy detention

The 'MSC Aries', which was seized by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz, was released from detention and is back in Europe. The vessel was detained on April 13, 2024, due to alleged violations of maritime regulations. Following its capture, the vessel was taken to the Port of Bandar Abbas where it remained under guard. In May 2024, Iran allowed the crew. which was comprising mostly Indian nationals, to disembark on humanitarian grounds. However, the vessel itself remained impounded for an extended period, as part of ongoing judicial proceedings in Iran. During the prolonged detention, diplomatic efforts for the vessel’s release were undertaken by multiple stakeholders, including Switzerland, which represents US interests in Iran, as well as indirect backchannel communications involving several Gulf and European states. After its release, the ship finally departed from the port on April 17. It arrived at Antwerp on June 21. Chartered by Mediterranean Shipping Company, it is owned by Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime, which is owned by Monaco-based Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. No formal charges were ever made public.

Three remaining crew members released

The three remaining Filipino crew members of the 'MSC Aries', have been released by the Iranian authorities. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) made the announcement on Aug 3. The MSC Aries was seized by Iranian authorities on April 13 while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, near the Gulf of Oman. Iran claimed that the container ship had links to Israel, coinciding with a mass drone attack launched by Iranian forces against Israel.

Seven crew members on their way home

After weeks of being held in Iran and promises that the crew of the seized 'MSC Aries' would be released, the governments of Portugal, India, and Pakistan confirmed that the first seven crewmembers have finally left the ship. Iran last week had said all crew members would be free to leave if the captain joined them. Next it was reported the crew would be released when their contractual obligations are completed. Portugal as the flag state of the containership confirmed that seven of the 24 crew members still aboard the vessel had departed. The first release consisted of five Indian nationals, one Filipino, and one Estonian, who was the sole European Union citizen on board. The Portuguese government welcomes this development, for which it had strongly advocated for. Nonetheless, it reiterated to the Iranian Government that international law required the immediate release of the remaining crew members and of the shipitself. 'Portugal will continue to make every effort to ensure that these international obligations are fully met,” the Portuguese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. India’s embassy in Iran confirmed that its five citizens have departed Iran and were making their way home to India. Previously, they had arranged for the sole cadet, a female, to travel home to India, where she arrived on April 19, six days after the vessel was seized. The consulate previously said that it had been able to arrange a visit to the crew and that they were in good health. They continued to call for the immediate release of the additional 11 Indian citizens aboard the vessel. The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs said that its one crew member was expected to arrive back in the Philippines on May 10 and were working for the release of the three remaining Filipinos aboard the ship. The vessel also has crew members from Russia and Pakistan. Iran had promised the Pakistan Foreign Ministry that it would repatriate its crewmembers while it was planning for a state visit to the country. However, there was no word on when these crewmembers might be released.Iran reiterated its assertion that the ship broke international maritime law. They accused the vessel of turning off its AIS transmissions while in Iranian territorial waters and endangering the safety of navigation. The official position was that the vessel was detained under judicial review. The seizure is widely seen as a retaliatory move against Israel coming shortly before Iran unleashed missiles and drones targeting Israel. The 'MSC Aries' is operating under a long-term charter to MSC but is owned by affiliates of Zodiac Maritime in which Eyal Ofer is the lead investor.