Danish Maersk Group has informed that the crew of the seized containership Maersk Tigris, chartered by Maersk Line, is safe.
“We are in on-going contact with Rickmers Shipmanagement and are pleased to learn that the crew is safe and under the circumstances in good spirits. The well-being of the crew remains our paramount concern, ” Maersk Line told World Maritime News in an emailed statement.
Around 30 people are reported to be aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged containership that was intercepted yesterday by an Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval patrol in Strait of Hormuz.
According to a Pentagon spokesman the Maersk vessel is still at sea. Initial reports are that members of the Iranian IRGCN have boarded her and there are no further updates, Army Col. Steve Warren said Tuesday.
The U.S. Navy has sent a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft to observe and monitor the situation.
The Tigris’s destination, according to a marine-traffic website, was Jebel Ali, a port town 22 miles southwest of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Maersk Line said it was continuing efforts to obtain more information about the Iranian authorities’ seizure of Maersk Tigris.
“We are not able at this point to establish or confirm the reason behind the seizure.We remain in close dialogue with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the company said.
Following the news, GAC issued a recommendation that vessel owners stay in close contact with already established security centres whilst in the area.
Even though the Strait of Hormuz is in Iranian territorial waters, “innocent passage” is applied and vessels are authorised to transit so long as they abide by all the rules of the sea, as it is an internationally recognised shipping lane.
“No changes have been made to the recommendations for transiting the area in light of the incident, though vigilance and caution is advised, ” GAC said, adding that no military action expected at this point.
Singapore-based Rickmers Shipmanagement, the manager of the vessel, said it was liaising with the relevant international authorities, and their main priority at the moment is the wellbeing of its seafarers on board Maersk Tigris.
“The company continues to monitor the vessel’s position at the same time seeking communications with the crew,” the company said in a statement.
World Maritime News Staff