THE 5,466-TEU Marshall Islands-flagged Maersk Tigris was "approached in the Persian Gulf by Iranian Navy and forced to ensure an inspection at a rendezvous position in Iranian waters", said Singapore's Rickmers Shipmanagement in a statement.
While Washington is sending a destroyer to monitor the scene, the US is still trying to determine its responsibility to the Marshall Islands Republic (pop 68,480). Wikipedia says that under the Compact of Free Association with the United States, the US is entirely responsible for Marshall Islands defence.
Said Rickmers: "The Iranian Navy used warning shots during its approach of Maersk Tigris. Immediately after being attended Rickmers Shipmanagement has informed relevant international authorities."
GAC Hot Port News is warning of Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval patrols in the Strait of Hormuz, and recommends ships stay in close contact with established security centres in the area.
"Even though the Strait of Hormuz is in Iranian territorial waters, "innocent passage" is applied and vessels are authorised to transit so long as they abide by all the rules of the sea, as it is an internationally recognised shipping lane," said GAC.
GAC Dubai said it can assist with the embarkation and disembarkation of security guards off Dubai and Mina Saqr ?for details contact GAC Dubai at shipping.dubai@gac.com
This is against the background of the Yemeni civil which the US, Saudi Arabia and Egypt back the ousted president and are protecting the Port of Aden, the stronghold of his surviving supporters against encroaching Houthi rebels supported by Iran.
Long before the Iranians seized the Marshall Islands ship, a Saudi-led coalition of naval forces has and continues to impose an arms blockade by searching ships for weapons destined for the rebel port of Aden, Reuters reports.
Rickmers Shipmanagement said it was "seriously concerned" about its crew, among whom there are no Americans, and the incident which happened to their managed ship.
"The company would like to emphasise that it takes its responsibilities as an international shipping line very seriously complying with all applicable laws and regulations and ensuring that employees are aware of those laws relevant to their roles.
"Rickmers Shipmanagement is liasing with the relevant international authorities, and their main priority at the moment is the well-being of its seafarers on board Maersk Tigris. The company continues to monitor the vessel's position at the same time seeking communications with the crew," said the Rickmers statement.
The US Defence Department said Iran's interception of a Marshall Islands-flagged ship appeared to be a "provocative" act, but US officials "did not have all the facts".
Pentagon spokesman US Army Colonel Steve Warren said the decision by Iranian naval forces to fire warning shots across the bow of the ship was "inappropriate".A US Navy maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft was also dispatched. It was not clear what the US defence obligation was to the Pacific island nation.
Wikipedia says the Marshall Islands were consolidated into the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands governed by the US. Self-government was achieved in 1979, and full sovereignty in 1986, under a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
"Politically, the Marshall Islands is a presidential republic in free association with the United States, with the US providing defence, subsidies, and access to social services. With few natural resources, the islands' wealth is based on a service economy, as well as some fishing and agriculture; aid from the United States represents a large percentage of the islands' gross domestic product. The country uses the United States dollar as its currency," said Wikipedia.
WORLD SHIPPING
30 April 2015 - 20:34
Rickmers Shipmanagement tells how Maersk Tigris was seized 'for inspection'
THE 5,466-TEU Marshall Islands-flagged Maersk Tigris was "approached in the Persian Gulf by Iranian Navy and forced to ensure an inspection at a rendezvous position in Iranian waters", said Singapore's Rickmers Shipmanagement in a statement.
WORLD SHIPPING
30 April 2015 - 20:34
Rickmers Shipmanagement tells how Maersk Tigris was seized 'for inspection'
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