On 13 April 2024,Iran seizedMSC Aries, a Portuguese-registered andMadeira-flaggedcontainer ship owned by Gortal Shipping and leased toMediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which Iran claimed was linked toIsrael.[1] The ship, with a crew of 25 people, was boarded by Iraniancommandos in theStrait of Hormuz, within international waters off the coast of theUnited Arab Emirates,[2][3] and taken to Iranian waters, effectively imprisoning the crew.[4][5]
TheUnited States,United Kingdom, andPortugal (where the ship is registered) called for the ship's release immediately afterwards.[4] On 3 May, Iran released the crew, but retained control of the vessel.
Since 2019, Iran has engaged in heightened naval action against European, American and Israeli shipping, persistently attacking various vessels and seizing ships amidst political issues,[6][7] dubbed "piracy" by Israeli outlets in 2023.[8] The event occurred during an escalation between Iran and Israel during theproxy war between Israel and Iran andHamas.[9][10] United States presidentJoe Biden warned Iran not to escalate the situation in the week preceding the incident.[11]
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | MSC Aries |
| Owner | Gortal Shipping |
| Operator | Mediterranean Shipping Company |
| Port of registry | Portugal |
| Completed | 2020 |
| Identification | |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 149,525 GT |
| Length | 366 m (1,200 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 51 m (167 ft 4 in) |
MSC Aries is acontainer ship built in 2020. As of 2024 the ship isPortuguese-registered andMadeira-flagged. She has a length of 366 metres (1,200 ft 9 in) and abeam of 51 metres (167 ft 4 in). It has a 149,525 gross tonnage (GT) and a summer tonnage of 158,097 tonsdeadweight (DWT).[12] The ship is leased by MSC from Gortal Shipping, an affiliate ofZodiac Maritime,[13] with MSC directing the ship's activities.[14] The Iranian foreign ministry claimed that the ship was undoubtedly linked to Israel, as Zodiac is partially owned by an Israeli businessman.[1]
On the morning of 13 April 2024,Iran's Revolutionary Guards boarded and took control ofMSC Aries via helicopter, claiming that it had violated maritime law.[13] The seizure of the ship occurred in international waters near the UAE coast.[15] The Israeli foreign minister called the Iranian action an act of international piracy, in alignment with international law. The Iranian military subsequently took the ship and its crew to Iranian waters.[16] The 25 crew members onboard comprised 17 Indians, four Filipinos, two Pakistanis, one Russian and one Estonian national.[17]
On 27 April, the Iranian Foreign MinisterHossein Amirabdollahian announced that the 24 remaining crew ofMSC Aries being held were given access to their respective consulates, and would be released.[18][19] On 3 May, he announced that the crew was released, but the vessel remained under the control of Iran.[20]
Following the incident, the Israeli foreign ministerIsrael Katz called on the European Union to sanction the IRGC.[21]Joe Biden shortened his vacation and returned to theWhite House for "security consultations," and defence secretaryLloyd Austin called the Israeli defence minister,Yoav Gallant, and said Israel can rely on the United States.[22] On 18 April, 16 shipping associations sent a joint letter to the United Nations requesting every effort to release the captive crew ofMSC Aries, and for "enhanced military presence, missions and patrols in the region to protect seafarers".[23]
