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Singapore government calls on Iran to investigate Alpine Eternity incident

Singapore: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has issued a statement today over the dramatic incident last week where Singapore-registered product tanker Alpine Eternity came under fire from Iranian authorities in the Straits of Hormuz.

The MPA statement read: “With regard to the reported shooting incident on 14 May 2015 (Singapore time), involving a Singapore-registered tanker ‘Alpine Eternity’ that took place in international waters, Singapore is deeply concerned with such actions.

“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has requested the Iranian maritime authorities to investigate the incident and prevent future recurrences. The freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce are of critical importance to Singapore and other maritime and trading nations. Such interference with navigational rights is a serious violation of international law.”

Iran says the MR product tanker hit an Iranian-owned oil platform on March 22 and is liable to pay damages.

“The ship manager, Transpetrol Ship Management Pte Ltd, had reported the incident to MPA on 23 March 2015. As the Flag Administration of ‘Alpine Eternity’, MPA had immediately commenced a marine safety investigation into the incident in accordance with the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code, and the investigation is still in progress,” the MPA statement continued.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Naval patrol boats fired what seemed to be warning shots over the vessel, which fled to United Arab Emirates waters.

Grant Rowles

Grant spent nine years at Informa Group based in London, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore. He gained strong management experience in publishing, conferences and awards schemes in the shipping and legal areas, working on a number of titles including Lloyd's List. In 2009 Grant joined Seatrade responsible for the commercial development of Seatrade’s Asia products. In 2012, with Sam Chambers, he co-founded Asia Shipping Media.
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