SINGAPORE, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Three Iranian container vessels whose owner claimed were seized for political reasons in Singapore waters recently, are now on sale at a public auction here.
Singapore Supreme Court documents showed the German-registered vessels, 'Tuchal', 'Sahand', and 'Sabalan', are under the Sheriff's sale and their auction is dated Dec 14.
The Sheriff, who is also the Registrar of the Supreme Court, conducts the sale of seized goods or property belonging to those who default on debts.
Iranian media yesterday quoted Islamic Republic of Iran's Shipping Lines (IRISL) managing director Mohammad Hossein Dajmar as describing the ship seizure as "politically motivated".
"The measure was not due to Iran's debts, it came due to sanctions and we are trying to solve it," he told Tehran's Iranian Students News Agency when asked whether the measure was due to Iran's debts.
He said "the seizure came a few days ago" but court papers showed that 'Tuchal' was detained on Sept 9, while 'Sahand' and 'Sabalan', Sept 14.
Dajmar explained to Tehran Times that the Singapore court ordered that the ships be seized, claiming Iran had not paid off a loan it received from a bank in France.
He said IRISL had obtained a loan from a French bank to purchase the ships and it had settled all the debts.
Boxships in question are as follows:
1-Sahand IMO 9328900, dwt 66432, 4795 TEU, built 2008, flag Germany.
2-Sabalan IMO 9346524, dwt 66488, 4795 TEU, built 2008, flag Germany.
3-Tuchal IMO 9346536, dwt 66441, 4795 TEU, built 2008, flag unknown.