A helicopter hovering above containers. The last image of the MSC Aries dates from April 13 and was broadcast by IRNA, the press agency of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Arrested by Iranian special forces (SNSF), the Portuguese-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Eyal Ofer. The ship is managed by MSC, which leases it to Gortal Shipping Inc, an affiliate of the businessman’s Zodiac Maritime.
The cargo ship was supposed to connect Khalifa, the port of Abu Dhabi, to Nhava Sheva, the port area of Mumbai, before being intercepted by Iranian troops when it was about 80 km from the coast of the United Arab Emirates, no far from the Strait of Hormuz. For three days, the MSC Aries has been off the radar. According to the official Iranian agency Irna, the MSC Aries must be driven into Iranian territorial waters. “The ship was diverted to Iranian territorial waters because it violated maritime laws and did not respond to calls from Iranian authorities,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said.
25 sailors are on board the container ship, 17 of whom are from India. “We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure their well-being and the safe return of the ship,” assures MSC, the Italian shipowner which charters the cargo ship, in a press release. This Monday, April 15, Tehran authorized officials of the Indian embassy in Iran to meet the 17 Indian crew members of the ship.