Maersk Insists On Release of Ship and Crew Seized by Iran

By Sabina Zawadzki

COPENHAGEN, April 30 (Reuters) – Danish transport big Maersk insisted on Thursday on the discharge of a vessel and crew seized by Iran however an Iranian Embassy assertion mentioned the Maersk Tigris would solely be let go as soon as a years-old debt case was settled.

The Marshall-Islands flagged Maersk Tigris container ship was detained by Iranian forces within the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday after pictures had been fired throughout its bow, spurring the United States to ship army vessels to observe the state of affairs.

Maersk had chartered the ship, which based on ship operator Rickmer Shipmanagement is owned by undisclosed personal buyers. The firm met with Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization on Wednesday and mentioned the corporate “must presume” the seizure was associated to the dispute.

“We have, however, not received any written or formal confirmation that the seizure and the cargo case are connected,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement.

“We must insist that the crew and vessel are released as soon as possible. The crew is not employed by Maersk Line, nor is the vessel owned by Maersk Line. Maersk Tigris and its crew are thus not in any way party to the case.”

Maersk, the world’s largest container transport line, mentioned it had agreed to pay an Iranian firm $163,000 after an Iranian court docket ruling in February which associated to a dispute about 10 container packing containers transported to Dubai in 2005.

“The Iranian company appealed the case seeking a higher compensation,” Maersk mentioned.

“Only today, 30 April, have we learnt that the appeal court has ruled Maersk Line to pay $3.6 million. As we do not have the details of the ruling, we are not able to comment hereon, nor at this point speculate on our options.”

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An announcement from the Iranian Embassy in Copenhagen mentioned the Maersk Tigris was owned by Maersk and that it had been apprehended in Iranian waters. It mentioned the Danish Embassy in Tehran had been knowledgeable of the case because it progressed.

“Naturally the ship will be released after settlements of debts by Maersk Shipping Line and will be allowed to sail to its final destination,” the assertion, dated April 29 however posted on Thursday, mentioned.

“Iranian authorities reiterate that there has been absolutely no political or security intentions or considerations behind the incident,” the assertion mentioned.

The incident occurred at a vital juncture in U.S.-Iranian relations, which may thaw ought to a tentative nuclear deal between Tehran and 6 world powers together with Washington be clinched. It additionally coincides with heightened rigidity between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia over the civil conflict in Yemen, during which they assist opposing sides.

The Maersk Tigris was anchored near the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, based on Reuters ship monitoring information.

There had been 24 crew members on the vessel, principally from Eastern Europe and Asia, and likewise a British nationwide.

It was the second ship in lower than per week to be approached by Iranian patrol boats. Earlier the U.S.-flagged Maersk Kensington was adopted however no pictures had been fired, the Pentagon mentioned on Wednesday, including the incidents confirmed “a pattern of harassment”.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif mentioned on Wednesday Tehran “will respect international navigation in the Gulf”. (Additional reporting by Jonathan Saul; Editing by Janet Lawrence)