Iran moves seized MSC-linked vessels toward Bandar Abbas

Two vessels seized by Iran near the Strait of Hormuz, carrying around 40 crew members, are being directed toward the port of Bandar Abbas, according to sources cited by Reuters on Thursday, April 23.

The ships were intercepted on Wednesday by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. One of the vessels belongs to MSC, the world’s largest container shipping company, while the second, according to three sources, had been chartered by the same firm.

"Some 20 Iranians armed to the teeth stormed the ​ship. Sailors are under Iranians' control, their movements on the ship are limited, but the Iranians are ⁠treating them well," a relative of one of the seafarers involved told Reuters.

Montenegro’s Minister of Maritime Affairs Filip Radulović said the MSC Francesca is currently anchored about nine nautical miles off the Iranian coast. "The ship is anchored nine nautical miles from the Iranian coast. ​Negotiations between MSC and Iran are ongoing, our sailors are fine," he told RTCG.

Radulović added that four crew members on the MSC Francesca, including the captain, are from Montenegro. Croatia’s foreign ministry confirmed that two Croatian nationals are also on board.

Details about the full crew of the Panama-flagged vessel have not been disclosed, although large container ships typically carry at least 20 personnel. MSC has declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the Liberia-flagged vessel Epaminondas has a crew of 21, made up of Ukrainian and Filipino sailors, according to the Greek coast guard. The ship had been en route to India.

Both crews are reported to be safe, but authorities in their respective countries said they are working to determine their condition and secure their release.

Information about the cargo of the vessels, if any, has not been made public. Although tracking transponders on both ships were turned off, maritime security sources indicated they were located near Bandar Abbas.

By Tamilla Hasanova