Maersk Line, Iranian Courts Approach Solution

Danish liner company Maersk Line continues talks with Iranian authorities as it pushes for the release of the seized containership Maersk Tigris.

“Today, we have had a constructive dialogue with the Iranian courts and Ports & Maritime Organization. Earlier today, we provided a letter of undertaking in relation to the underlying cargo case.

Iran said on Wednesday a legal settlement could be reached soon over the seizure of Maersk Tigris, according to IRNA news agency.

“The negotiations between the private complainant and the other party are going on and possibly the issue will be resolved in a day or two,” IRNA quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying.

The seizure of Maersk Tigris on April 28th by Iranian patrol boats is said to be related to a cargo dispute between a private company named Pars Talaee Oil Production Company and Maersk Line, which dates back to 2005.

The Iranian Embassy said on Thursday that the ship would be released once the debt case was settled, Reuters reports.

Managing-Director of Pars Tala’eyeh Oil Products Company Hamidreza Jahanian told Fars News Agency that if the debt is not resolved that the assets and properties on the ship and even the vessel itself will be put up to tender and will be sold to compensate for the incurred loss.