Iran's Foreign Ministry has justified the seizure of the 'MSC Aries' with alleged violations of shipping regulations. A Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said on April 15 that the ship was detained because of its disregard for international rules and a lack of a “proper reaction” to the Iranian authorities. The cargo on board worth more than $90 million. 17 of the 25 crew members are Indian. The other crew members come from Pakistan, the Philippines, Russia and Estonia. The four Filipinos among the 'MSC Aries' were expected to be released soon. The DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega was set to meet the Iranian ambassador on April 16 about the release of them. The four Filipinos were allowed by the Iranians to contact their families, and each of them spoke with their relatives for an hour. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) also had similar updates from the families of the captives. The four were not hostages since it is the Iranian government that was holding them in custody. They have taken to their normal duties onboard the ship. The licensed manning agency of the four has assured adequate payment of salaries and compensation.
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MSC ARIES
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have seized the 'MSC Aries' on April 13, 2024, with 25 crew members on board. The AIS was turned off, and it was being transferred to Iran's territorial waters. A Guards navy special forces helicopter boarded the Portuguese flagged vessel and seized it 50 nautical miles northeast of the Fujairah, an area close to the Strait of Hormuz that forms the entrance to the Gulf. The 'MSC Aries' is operated by the Zodiac Maritime, an international shipping company partly owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAVVeRnW9lE
MSC ARIES
The Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on April 14 and took up the release of 17 Indian crew members of the 'MSC Aries'. The two leaders also discussed the current situation in the region and stressed the importance of avoiding escalation. The U.S. State Department has strongly condemned Iran’s seizure of the container ship and urged Tehran to immediately release the vessel and its crew. The ship was seized in international waters, and its crew consisted of nationals from India, the Philippines, Pakistan, Russia, and Estonia. The seizure of a non-military vessel, even without any provocation on its part, is deemed a "blatant violation of international laws" and "piracy" by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), classified as a "foreign terrorist organization. This action must be unequivocally condemned, and we will work with our partners to ensure Iran is held accountable for its actions." Israel Katz, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, urged the "European Union and the free world" to "immediately declare the IRGC as a terrorist organization and sanction Iran now."
GOVT VESSEL 58
The USS 'Laboon' destroyed an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Houthi militants in Yemen on April 8, 2024, which was targeting the 'Maersk Yorktown' in the Gulf of Aden, which was being escorted by the U.S. Navy destroyer. It was determined the ABSM presented an imminent threat to U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels in the region. There were no injuries or damage reported. Yemen’s Houthi militants confirmed that a missile shot down was targeting the AP Moller-Maersk ship. The group also claimed to have launched two more operations against MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company vessels nearby.
ABDULLAH
The Somali pirates have released the 'Abdulla' along with its 23 crew members on April 14, after receiving a ransom of $5 million, more than one month after the bulk carrier was hijacked on March 12 about 600 nautical miles east of Mogadishu, after departing from Maputo, en route to Al Hamriya with a cargo of 55,000 tonnes of thermal coal. After nine days in captivity, the pirates contacted the vessel's owner, the KSRM Group, demanding a ransom. After negotiations, KSRM paid the ransom to the pirates. The ship has meanwhile continued the voyage to the port of destination. The Somali authorities arrested at least eight pirates who reached the shore after releasing the ship. The Puntland Police Force apprehended the pirates on the East Coast of Puntland, confirming that they were members of the group responsible for the hijacking of the 'Abdullah'. A police officer did not confirm whether the money paid by the Bangladeshi company to secure the cargo ship's release was recovered,