The company ensures that the crew of a Portuguese-flagged ship seized by Iran is safe

Container shipping company MSC confirmed this Wednesday that the crew of the MSC Aries, seized by Iran on Saturday, were safe and added that “negotiations are ongoing” with Iranian authorities for their release.

In its statement, MSC recalled that the ship “was seized by Iranian authorities on April 13 in the Strait of Hormuz while transiting through international waters” and stressed that the 25 crew members, the majority of whom are two Indians, “are doing well.” .

“We are also working with Iranian authorities to release the cargo,” the company said, deeming the incident “serious.”

“ABOUT [navio] MSC Aries is owned by Fortal Shipping Inc. and was leased by MSC,” he detailed in a statement, assuring that he would “continue to provide uninterrupted and regular services” in the region.

The Portuguese-flagged ship (registered in the autonomous region of Madeira) was seized on Saturday by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on suspicion of links to the Zodiac Maritime Limited group, partly owned by Israeli millionaire Eyal Ofer.

According to Tehran, “the ship was sent to Iranian territorial waters due to a violation of international maritime rules.”

On Tuesday, Portugal summoned Iran’s ambassador to Lisbon to protest recent attacks on Israel and demand the “immediate release” of the MSC Aries.

At the meeting, Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel insisted on “demanding the immediate release of the MSC Aries in light of Portugal’s obligations as a flag state.”

“The release of the crew was also called for, and this should be treated with dignity while the ship remains in prison, since the explanations presented so far are not considered consistent,” the Portuguese government added.