The British-flagged Stena Impero vessel departed the Bandar Abbas port, where it has been anchored since July. The vessel was detained by Iran for alleged marine violations, following the increasing tensions between Iran and the UK.
In light of the news, Erik Hanell, President and CEO, Stena Bulk commented
Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management confirm the Stena Impero and its crew have been released. The vessel has left the port of Bandar Abbas and is transiting to Dubai for the crew to disembark and receive medical checks and de-briefing.
He added that the crewmembers’ families have been informed and the Company proceeded to arrangements for the repatriation of its valued seafarers at the earliest possible opportunity.
In line with an ongoing crisis in the Middle East, Stena Impero was detained by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on July 19 in the Strait of Hormuz, for alleged marine violations. Stena Bulk, all this time, has been in communication with Iran to free the crewmembers and find a solution; Thus, in early September, seven crewmembers were released.
Two weeks earlier, Britain had detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar. That vessel was released in August.
