The President and Chief Executive of Stena Bulk, Erik Hanell, asked permission from the Iranian authorities to visit the crew members of the Stena Impero, which was seized by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard in the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, 19 July.
According to Mr Hanell’s statement
I can confirm a formal request for permission to visit the 23 crew members of the Stena Impero has been made to the authorities at the Port of Bandar Abbas.
He continued that all of Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management’s efforts and focus continue to be on the welfare and safe return of our crew and supporting their families during this very difficult time.
Also, Mr Hanell added that the local personnel in India, Latvia, Philippines, Russia are in constant touch with the families and they will continue to do everything humanly possible to keep them informed and to support them in every way they can.
The request has been acknowledged, but we await a formal response. In the meantime, we will continue to cooperate and liaise with all appropriate authorities.
Stena Impero was seized on July 19, while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The UK condemned this act as ‘hostile’, denying Tehran’s argument that it seized the vessel because it was involved in an accident.
