Seven crew members from the Stena Impero tanker have been released and are now travelling to a safe location where they will be reunited with their families, almost seven weeks after the ship was detained by Iranian forces, the owner Stena Bulk informed in a latest update.
Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management can confirm that seven crew members of the Stena Impero have been released and are now travelling to a safe location where they will be reunited with their families. They will receive medical checks and a debriefing before being repatriated to their home countries at the earliest opportunity,
…stated Erik Hanell, President and CEO, Stena Bulk.
The news for a potential release of seven crew came in late August, when the CEO of Stena Bulk met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif in Stockholm and discussed the case for the release.
However, just yesterday (4 Sept) the company announced that arrangements are indeed underway for the release of the non-essential personnel.
Another 16 are now remaining onboard to safely operate the vessel.
We continue to work tirelessly to obtain the release of the remaining crew onboard the Stena Impero and will continue to provide all possible support to their families during this difficult time,
…the company added.
Stena Bulk reiterated there are no indications that the ship had breached any rules.
Stena Bulk and Northern Marine Management said they will not release the names of any crew members to protect the privacy of the families involved.
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.
Two weeks earlier, Britain had detained an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar. That vessel was released in August.
