Maersk Line: Maersk Tigris en Route to Jebel Ali

Danish liner company Maersk Line has confirmed the release of the Marshal Islands-flagged containership Maersk Tigris earlier today.

The ship is now en route to Jebel Ali (UAE) where Rickmers Shipmamagement will attend to the 24 crew members, Maersk Line added.

The crew was reported to be in good condition by Rickmers Shipmanagement, manager of the vessel.

“The release follows a constructive dialogue with the Iranian authorities, including the Ports & Maritime Organization, and the provision of a letter of undertaking in relation to the underlying cargo case. We will continue our dialogue with the aim to fully resolve the cargo case,” Maersk Line said in an emailed statement.

“We will get our customers’ cargo on board Maersk Tigris underway as soon as possible and discuss with Rickmers Shipmanagement when the vessel can resume its voyage,” the statement further added.

“The management of Rickmers Group and everyone in the company are delighted that the vessel is no longer held under Iranian control and its valued seafarers are able to resume their normal life and continue their voyage.

Rickmers Group wishes to thank all the international authorities and professionals that have advised the company during the time Maersk Tigris was held up in Iran. Rickmers Group  would also like to thank the seafarers of the vessel for their very professional and calm handling of the situation,” comments Rickmers Group.

The information on the release has been released earlier today by Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization.

The PMO said 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.

“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 port organization added.

Maersk Tigris was seized by Iranian patrol boats on 28 April 2015, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The seizure was attributed to 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.

World Maritime News Staff; Image: PMO