Following the news that Iran seized another oil tanker, supporting that it was smuggling oil fuel, global seafarers’ charity, Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea), alerts on seafarers’ rights to be respected.
Accordingly, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized the foreign vessel, supporting that it was transmitting 700,000 litres of oil to ‘some Arab countries in the Persian Gulf’ and all seven crew onboard the vessel have been detained.
John Green, Director of Development for the charity commented
We are hugely concerned for the welfare of the crew of this ship and also the crew of the Stena Impero who are still detained. The effects of this latest seizure will not only be on this crew but also on their wives and children.
The charity continues to monitor the situation.
The Strait of Hormuz has gained the spotlight given the increasing tensions between Iran and the UK. The tension in Strait of Hormuz peaked after the UK arrested the Indian Captain and Chief Officer of the Iranian tanker ‘Grace 1’, a few days after the ship was seized suspected of breaching EU sanctions by shipping oil to Syria. Following this event, Iran seized Stena Impero, leading a part of the shipping sector addressing that this was an act of retaliation and an act against international shipping laws.
Up to now, Stena Bulk confirmed direct communication with the detained seafarers of the Stena Impero.
