The seized Maersk Tigris containership has been released after being held in detention by Iranian authorities for over a week, IRNA reported citing a source at Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization.
The information has just been confirmed by the PMO, saying that after receiving a letter of guarantee for the enforcement of the judicial decision from Maersk Line, the permission to release the ship has been granted. “The Ports and Maritime Organization conferred with the Maersk Shipping Line and ensured the provision of a letter of guarantee for the enforcement of the judicial decision in this respect in the framework of mutual cooperation between the two countries, and the confidence to the good will of transport entities in fulfilling their obligations towards their clients. With the coordination and cooperation of other relevant enforcement and operational bodies, the required judicial permission was achieved and the mentioned vessel was finally released on May 7th, 2015,” PMO said in a statement.
“It must be mentioned that this vessel was arrested in the Iranian territorial waters following the court verdict against the vessel only, and crew of the vessel had not been subject to any restrictions from leaving the port or the country, comply with international rules, under any circumstances, ” the statement added.
Maersk Tigris was seized on April 28th by Iranian patrol boats amid a cargo dispute between a private company named Pars Talaee Oil Production Company and Maersk Line, charterer of the vessel, which dates back to 2005.
Maersk Line reported that it was in talks with Iranian authorities and that it has had a constructive dialogue so far, however it did not disclose whether an arrangement on the vessel’s release was agreed upon.
Addressing a press conference, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said on Wednesday that a legal settlement with Maersk Line could be reached in a day or two.
The Iranian Embassy said on Thursday that the ship would be released once the debt case was settled.
World Maritime News Staff; Image: PMO