Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries explained

On 13 April 2024 Iran seized MSC Aries, a Portuguese-registered and Madeira-flagged container ship owned by Gortal Shipping and leased to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The ship, with a crew of 25 people, was boarded by Iranian commandos in the Strait of Hormuz, within international waters off the coast of the United Arab Emirates,[1] [2] and taken to Iranian waters, effectively imprisoning the crew.[3] [4]

The United States, United Kingdom, and Portugal (where the ship is registered) called for the ship's release immediately afterwards.

Background

Since 2019 Iran has engaged in heightened naval action against European, American and Israeli shipping, persistently attacking various vessels and seizing ships amidst political issues,[5] [6] dubbed "piracy" by Israeli outlets in 2023.[7] The event occurred during an escalation between Iran and Israel during the proxy war between Israel and Iran and Hamas.[8] [9] United States president Joe Biden warned Iran not to escalate the situation in the week preceding the incident.[10]

MSC Aries

MSC Aries is a container ship built in 2020. As of 2024 the ship is Portuguese-registered and Madeira-flagged. She has a length of 366m (1,201feet) and a beam of 51m (167feet). It has a and a summer tonnage of .[11] The ship is leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime,[12] with MSC directing the ship's activities.[13]

Events

On the morning of 13 April 2024, Iran's Revolutionary Guards boarded and took control of MSC Aries via helicopter, claiming that it had violated maritime law.[12] The seizure of the ship occurred in international waters near the UAE coast.[14] The Israeli foreign minister called the Iranian action an act of international piracy, in alignment with international law. The Iranian military subsequently took the ship and its crew to Iranian waters.[15] The 25 crew members onboard comprised 17 Indians, four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian national.[16]

On April 27, the Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian announced that the 24 remaining crew of MSC Aries being held were given access to their respective consulates, and would be released.[17] [18] On May 3, he announced that the crew was released, but the vessel remained under the control of Iran.[19]

Reactions

Following the incident, the Israeli foreign minister called on the European Union to sanction the IRGC.[20] Joe Biden shortened his vacation and returned to the White House for "security consultations," and defence secretary Lloyd Austin called the Israeli defence minister, Yoav Gallant, and said Israel can rely on the United States.[21] On 18 April, 16 shipping associations sent a joint letter to the United Nations requesting every effort to release the captive crew of MSC Aries, and for "enhanced military presence, missions and patrols in the region to protect seafarers".[22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amid rising tension, Iran's troops raid Israel-linked ship near UAE: Report . Business Standard . Associated Press . 13 April 2024 . 21 April 2024.
  2. Web site: 13 April 2024 . Iran seizes large container ship MSC Aries in Strait of Hormuz . Seatrade Maritime News . 21 April 2024 . Howard . Gary.
  3. Web site: Hand . Marcus . 14 April 2024 . US and UK call for immediate release of MSC Aries seized by Iran . Seatrade Maritime News . 21 April 2024.
  4. News: Schuetze . Christopher F. . 13 April 2024 . Iran Seizes Commercial Ship Linked to Israel . The New York Times . 21 April 2024.
  5. News: 17 Indians among 25 crew on ship seized by Iran; India in touch with Iran to secure release of Indians . The Economic Times . 14 April 2024. 18 April 2024.
  6. News: US Navy says it prevented Iran from seizing tankers in Gulf of Oman . 18 April 2024 . Reuters . 6 July 2023.
  7. Web site: 29 April 2023 . Iran continues piracy against foreign vessels – analysis . 13 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post . Frantzman . Seth J..
  8. Web site: 11 January 2024 . On Hamas, what did Qatar know and when did it know it? . 13 April 2024 . Politico . Matthew . Karnitschnig.
  9. Web site: 14 October 2023 . Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: Hamas's network of allies . 13 April 2024 . France 24 . Mounier . Jean-Luc.
  10. Web site: 12 April 2024 . Biden predicts impending Iranian attack on Israel as nations brace for regional escalation . 14 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post.
  11. Web site: MSC Aries . VesselFinder.com . 21 April 2024.
  12. News: Iran says MSC Aries vessel seized for 'violating maritime laws' . Reuters . 15 April 2024. 18 April 2024.
  13. News: Iranian forces seize ship linked to Israeli businessman in Strait of Hormuz . El País . Pita . Antonio . Bronte . Trinidad Deiros . 13 April 2024 . 21 April 2024.
  14. Web site: Israeli Army Warns Of "Consequences" After Iran Seizes Ship Off UAE Coast . 13 April 2024 . NDTV . Agence France-Presse.
  15. Web site: 13 April 2024 . Iran committing piracy, Israeli foreign minister says . 13 April 2024 . The Jerusalem Post . Reuters.
  16. News: 17 Indians among 25 crew onboard Israel-linked cargo vessel seized by Iran . . 13 April 2024 . 14 April 2024.
  17. News: Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship to be released . 27 April 2024 . Reuters.
  18. News: Houthis Attack MSC Vessel in Indian Ocean . 1 May 2024 . Sourcing Journal.
  19. Web site: 2024-05-03 . Iran says crew of Israel-linked ship freed . 2024-05-03 . The Jerusalem Post . en.
  20. News: Eichner . Itamar . Ben-Ari . Lior . 13 April 2024 . שר החוץ קרא להטיל סנקציות על איראן אחרי ההשתלטות על הספינה. יועץ לחמינאי: "ישראל בפאניקה" . The Foreign Minister called for sanctions to be imposed on Iran after the seizure of the ship. Advisor to Khamenei: "Israel is in a panic" . 13 April 2024 . Ynet . he.
  21. News: Adelson . Daniel . 13 April 2024 . ביידן מקצר את חופשתו בצל החשש מנקמה איראנית. גלנט שוחח עם אוסטין: "הוספנו יכולות חדשות" . Biden cuts his vacation short amid fears of Iranian retaliation. Gallant talked to Austin: "We added new capabilities" . 13 April 2024 . Ynet . he.
  22. News: Industry appeals to UN over MSC Aries seizure . 4 May 2024 . SeatradeMarine News.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Iranian seizure of the MSC Aries".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.