Nations lined up at the International Maritime Organization to condemn Iran and the Houthi regime for their seizure of ships in the Red Sea after months of rocket attacks and disruption to global trading lanes.
Delegates called for the immediate release of the 5,100-ceu car carrier Galaxy Leader (built 2002), seized by Iran-backed Houthi forces in November, and the 15,000-teu container ship MSC Aries (built 2020) that has been held since 13 April. A total of 49 seafarers remain detained on the two ships.
The IMO’s legal committee heard that the attacks were part of a pattern of Iranian behaviour targeting the freedom of navigation and endangering the welfare of seafarers.
The MSC Aries flag state Portugal, European Union representative Belgium and the UK and US governments all demanded an end to the attacks.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation highlighted how the deaths of three seafarers in a direct hit on the 50,448-dwt bulker True Confidence (built 2011) in March had failed to act as a red light to halt the attacks.
IMO secretary general Arsenio Dominguez said: “I would like … to reiterate my call for the immediate release of any seafarer that has been hijacked or seized.”
Iran claimed the seizure of the MSC Aries was a “technical issue” despite official media tying the snatch by Iran’s naval forces to the “Israeli regime” through its ownership.
The MSC Aries is owned by an affiliate of Zodiac Maritime and chartered and operated by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company.
While Zodiac operates globally from London, it is ultimately owned by Israeli-born billionaire Eyal Ofer, who is based in Monaco.
Iran also claimed the Houthi regime was an “independent and effective entity” in the region that acted in its own interests, according to the country’s delegate to the IMO.
The Iranian delegate said that Iran claimed it had “made every effort” to maintain maritime safety and contain threats in the region.
“The MSC Aries seizure is a technical issue that is being investigated by Iranian authorities,” he said. He denied that the crew, held for 10 days, had been arrested.
The crew members were in good health and would be repatriated based on “minimum safe manning standards” and how best to return them, he claimed.
The 25-strong crew was detained when the ship was boarded by Iranian naval forces and relocated near the coast of Iran. One cadet has been allowed to leave the ship and was flown home to India last week.
Iran has been widely condemned for the seizure of the vessel, with shipowners calling for a stronger military presence in the region to prevent a repeat.
“This is not new behaviour for Iran,” the US delegate said.
Iran’s continued harassment of vessels and interference with the freedom of navigation posed a “threat to maritime security, regional stability and the global economy”, he said.
The UK said that the protection of seafarers was “fundamental to our work” at the IMO and said it was determined to hold those responsible accountable for the attacks.
Belgium, speaking on behalf of the EU, said: “Seafarers should never have suffered such trauma in the course of their work.”
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