ContainersMiddle East

Iran releases MSC Aries crew

Iran has released all the crew of the MSC Aries, a 15,000 teu box ship abducted by Iranian special forces last month. 

Speaking to the Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian stated that the seized ship had turned off its transponders in the territorial waters of Iran and jeopardised “the security of navigation”. 

The Israeli-linked ship remains anchored near three other vessels hijacked by Iranian special forces. 

An NYK-operated car carrier, the Galaxy Leader, remains in Yemeni waters, having been hijacked six months ago by the Houthis, while off the Horn of Africa, Somali pirates have resumed their ransom tactics, abducting two ships in recent months. 

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

Comments

  1. This is good news . However this just means higher freight prices for the clients .

  2. Why don’t the ships carry weapons and just shoot down the Houthies down. The Pirates as well ?

Back to top button